RYAN CHRISTIE has been speaking about the remarkable few weeks that have transformed his position at Celtic from a squad player struggling to get any significant game time into a star performer in the Celtic midfield in domestic and European matches, and also a first choice pick for Scotland.
Oh and he’s also earned and signed a new, improved long term contract that will keep him at Celtic for the next four years.
“It’s been a crazy month for me and I don’t know what the trigger has been for all of this,” Christie said.
“I got the opportunity in the semi-final and scoring a goal ignited my confidence a little bit. It gave me that feeling I’ve got a purpose and I can make an impact at Celtic.
“Confidence for all footballers is a huge thing. I’m feeling good about my game right and I hope it can continue. That’s how football works these days – there are so many games that things can change so quickly.
“We’ve got a hefty schedule coming up so hopefully the games come thick and fast for me because I’m feeling good about myself,” Christie stated to the media.
The transformation in his fortunes also filtered through to the national side where Christie started and starred in both of the wins over Albania and Israel and as well as being delighted with his own inclusion in Alex McLeish’s side, he is also thrilled for team-mate James Forrest who scored 5 goals in those two matches – 2 in Albania and a hat-trick against Israel at Hampden on Tuesday evening.
“The Scotland games were brilliant. We now have that core of players who are key performers both for their club and country which is good.
“I‘m delighted for James and delighted for us. People have said all it takes is scoring your first international goal and then you get a bit of a run. That’s now five in two for James for Scotland. He’s flying and long may it continue.
“He is still very quiet and has got his feet planted firmly on the ground. He never lets his head go up to the sky too much.
“Everybody is delighted for James in terms of how hard he works. James is a huge player for Celtic and Scotland.
“You can’t rely on it but it is nice to have someone like that in your team who can pop up on a night like Tuesday and score three goals. He makes my job easier that’s for sure.
“You just keep giving him the ball and let him do his thing. Long may it continue because right now he’s on fire.
“In his younger years he was more like an out and out winger. He was a chalk on his boots player but you can see now he can come in the park so well.
“And James now picks up the ball in areas that make him so hard to mark. You saw in the game against Israel that that’s where he gets his goals, almost from the middle of the box.
“He’s got this movement about him and he’s still developing so all credit to him.”
Also on The Celtic Star today…
Res 12 Update! Questions for The Celtic Board, next step City of London Police…See HERE.
Jim Craig – Celtic v Port Glasgow Athletic…See HERE.
