CHARLIE CHRISTIE’S greatest moment at Celtic Park came in an Inverness Caledonian Thistle shirt. His son Ryan hopes it won’t be the same for him. Christie Sr was voted man of the match when the Highland team famously went ballistic back in 2000, knocking John Barnes’ Celtic out of the Scottish Cup. Ryan, a boyhood Celtic fan, doesn’t recall it quite as fondly.
“I was at the game but I don’t remember much about it to be honest,” he said. “My dad’s mentioned it, just the few thousand times! I’ve seen the videos of course so I know all about it.”
That night served as redemption for Charlie who earlier in his career spent two seasons on the books on Celtic without making a first-team appearance. Ryan has now followed in his father’s footsteps, penning a four-year contract with the Scottish champions for a fee in excess of £500,000. He will return to Inverness on a season-long loan, although Celtic have the option to bring him back in January. The attacking midfielder knows he will have his work cut out to break into Ronny Deila’s side whenever he returns but hopes, unlike his dad, he will one day get the chance to make his mark.
“My dad spoke to me about his experience here,” added the 20 year-old. “He said he enjoyed it although he found it hard to break in. He told me that I might find it the same when I move down, but it’s about being mentally strong and keeping going. When I get my chance, I have to take it.
“I think he enjoyed his time down in Glasgow. A lot of people say he was homesick but from what I heard he really enjoyed it down here. It’s just that playing first-team football was more important.
“It maybe gives me an extra incentive to make the breakthrough here – and to get one over on him! I’m sure he’s proud but he won’t tell me that. I’m sure he is. He’s probably my harshest critic. He’s coached me from a young age so I don’t think he’s been too keen to give me much positive news but surely to Christ I get some praise now!”
Other clubs, including Swansea City, were interested in signing Christie but once Celtic’s intentions became known he only had one destination in mind.
“There were rumours of a few other clubs,” he admitted. “But when you hear a team like Celtic have come in, that’s it. They are an incredible team with an incredible fan base. Just to be able to say I’ve played for Celtic in part of my career will be a huge thing.
“I’ve been a fan all my life, just through my dad. As a kid I had Celtic posters on my wall, Henrik Larsson was my favourite, of course. I’ve came down for games, mainly cup finals and the European nights. The last one was the Barcelona game in 2012. That was an incredible night.”
For now, though, his focus will be on continuing to do well for Inverness, while hoping Deila is closely following his progress.
“Going back to Inverness gives me time to hit the goals I set for myself at the start of the season with them and also to settle things for moving to Glasgow when I do come back. I still want to do well for Inverness to show the manager here what I can do. Hopefully I will go back there and hit a bit of form and score some goals. That would plant me in his mind so when I come down here he knows that I’m ready to go.”
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