Ex-manager tips ‘magnificent’ Christie to be Southampton sensation amid Celtic exit report
Alex McLeish has insisted Ryan Christie could be a roaring success if he leaves Celtic for Southampton this summer.
The former Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 26-year-old winger is the “complete package” down the flank.
The Scottish Sun claim Southampton are considering launching a cut-price bid for the Scotland international during the upcoming window.
Christie’s contract at Parkhead is set to run out at the end of the year, meaning Celtic must cash in this summer or risk losing him on a free.
McLeish, who managed the Celtic star with Scotland, insisted the winger has significantly improved in recent years.
Asked if he thought Christie would be a success at Southampton, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah, absolutely.
“Christie has improved absolutely brilliantly since the summer I took the Scotland boys to Mexico and Peru. The word is he went into the gym.
“Playing against the Mexicans and the Peruvians, they’re so strong with core strength. Maybe he thought: ‘Oof, I need to get a wee bit stronger.’
“He came back like a man possessed that following season. He was in the form of his life, I felt, for a couple of seasons. The game which showed that was his magnificent performance against Israel at Hampden.
“His running off the ball, his support of the front men, his tracking back. He’s the complete package.”
Christie scored seven goals and contributed 15 assists in 46 games for Celtic during the 2020/21 campaign.
He has 18 international caps under his belt and is part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the Euros.
In other news, Celtic have moved to sign next Fraser Forster as talks underway, claims pundit.