Former Jambo and current ICT boss John Robertson has praised Celtic star Ryan Christie after the midfielder helped Scotland qualify for their first major tournament in 22-years.
While complimenting the Celtic star, his thoughts quickly turned to Ryan’s motivations going forward and suggested he could be outgrowing Celtic with his sights set on a move elsewhere.
Speaking to Sunsport, Robertson claimed Ryan has always fancied a move abroad or to England:
“Everyone here was delighted Ryan had such a huge part to play in Scotland qualifying for the Euros.
“Football-wise he’s blossoming week by week. For Ryan, it is a case of, ‘What’s next?’.
“I’m sure he’ll have thoughts as to whether he is going to stay at Celtic and continue to improve and win trophies.
“Or does he have his eyes set on the next challenge?
“Is the next challenge England and the Premier League?
“Or, speaking to Charlie (Christie) in general terms, I know Ryan is very keen at some stage in his career to play abroad.
“He has the world at his feet. He’s got options.
“He can stay where he is or move to England and set himself a brand new challenge.
“When you see what the likes of Ryan Fraser, John McGinn, Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney have done down there, that may be a ripe opportunity for him.
“But I think there’s something in the back of Ryan Christie’s mind that he likes the look of the continental game, the European style of play.
“I’m sure if that is his intended route, he won’t be struggling for suitors.”
Ryan has really put the work in over the years and made his name at Celtic through determination.
Aberdeen were once looking to sign the midfielder on a permanent deal after a loan spell with Celtic seemingly not looking to use him; in the final year of his first Celtic contact, Ryan would get a shot against hearts at Murrayfield and his Celtic career took off.
At 25, there’s every chance he could make a move in the next year or two. What’s important is this season and everyone being 100% committed to the cause.
