CHARLIE Christie had a close-up view of one of the best teams in Celtic’s history but is glad that his son will not settle for the same thing.
Ryan Christie is willing to sacrifice medals with the Scottish champions-in-waiting as Brendan Rodgers’ team pursue a rare Treble by joining Aberdeen on loan for the rest of the season.
If Charlie Christie made his own name as one of Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s most notable players, and then manager, his initial career included two years on the margins at Celtic. Christie senior witnessed Celtic’s centenary season double triumph in 1988, watching others celebrate without kicking a ball.
“Ryan just wants to prove his worth at Aberdeen," Christie said of his son. "We didn’t speak about 1988 and to be honest there’s no comparison between me and Ryan at Celtic.
“I came to Celtic from Inverness Thistle as a part-timer at 21 whereas Ryan moved there at 20, having played more than 40 games for Caley Thistle and bringing the Scottish Cup back to Inverness.
“That was a great day for Ryan, myself and everyone at Inverness. But medals need to be earned. Maybe there are some players who can sit in the stand and enjoy their team’s success but Ryan is not one of them.
“I can understand that. I was like that myself as a player. You just want to be on the pitch. Being at Celtic in 1988 was a fond memory for me and strengthened my feeling for the club – but I didn’t contribute to that success.
“Make no mistake, Ryan wants to be a success at Celtic. But he can’t do that sitting in the stand. He showed what he could do last season when he played up front in the last game against Motherwell and scored in a 7-0 win.
“This season, he was in Brendan’s first team against Lincoln Red Imps when they lost in Gibraltar. Ryan didn’t play well but no one did for Celtic that night.
“He’s had fewer opportunities since then and the midfield is certainly Celtic’s strongest part of the team. But he played in a friendly against Inter Milan and was perhaps Celtic’s best player.
“It’s been frustrating for Ryan to be left out this season. But he’s reacted in the right way. The coaching staff at Celtic have told me that he’s first into training and always eager to learn. Ryan is a model professional."
And Charlie Christie feels that the demands of being a key contributor with Derek McInnes’s side, as they try to earn the earn the Ladbrokes Premiership runners-up place, will actually produce a long-term reward at Celtic for his son.
“Brendan Rodgers recognises his potential," he added. "But he also needs games time. Brendan asked Ryan in Dubai in Celtic’s winter break what he thought about going to Aberdeen on loan, and then again on Monday. He told Ryan he had a big future at Celtic but that this would benefit his career at Parkhead.
“I know that Brendan Rodgers and Derek McInnes have a good relationship which is why Brendan’s sanctioned the move."
Christie packed his bags and quit Celtic in 1989 after two seasons on the sidelines but he’s convinced his son will have a different story to tell.
“Ryan will go back to Celtic a stronger player after he has this time at Aberdeen,” said Charlie. “That’s what Celtic want and all Ryan want to do is play for Celtic.”
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