‘Prove I belong’ – Celtic attacker confirms he is ready for talks in summer

Sat 5 May 2018 12:07, UK

Celtic’s on-loan attacker Ryan Christie has confirmed is set to have discussions with the Hoops over his future in Glasgow once his loan spell with Aberdeen ends at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has spent the last 18 months on loan at Pittodrie and wants to know what his first-team prospects are before he signs a new deal with the Bhoys.

“Right now I am at Aberdeen and I want to finish on as big a high as possible. After that I can start talking to Celtic again,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.

“But it is definitely a positive and it gives me the confidence I am not being forgotten about. It is a compliment. They are still watching me and I can still have a future at Celtic.

“These last 18 months have stood me in good stead though, and hopefully I can go back to Celtic and prove I belong there.”

Christie didn’t feature that often for the Hoops even before his move to Pittodrie as injury and the sheer number of attackers the Hoops have in their squad kept him on the sidelines.

Football Insider verdict

Christie is being very sensible here, as he has a job to do with Aberdeen – helping them finish as runners-up in the Premier League – before beginning to sort out his future with the Hoops. One thing that might have to be taken into account is what happens to Tom Rogic over the summer, as if the Australian leaves the Hoops then Christie could well be considered as his replacement, if the Hoops decide not to bring in another attacking midfielder over the summer. Christie has done very well with Aberdeen, but of course he will be under far more pressure to do will with the Hoops than he ever was with the Dons, so only time will tell if he makes the grade in Glasgow, although the fact that Brendan Rodgers wants him to sign a new deal with the club can only be a good thing towards his future with the Scottish champions.