RYAN CHRISTIE’S first interview with Bournemouth is quite something.
During it, Ryan confirms what CeltsAreHere have been saying for the last 18 months – that Ryan’s desire was to continue his football down south.
The former Celtic midfielder left the club on deadline day to sign for Bournemouth after making it clear to the Hoops he wouldn’t be signing a new deal.
Ryan has been a tremendous player for the club at times but he’s also been a source of great frustration. Nobody will begrudge him his move but we will have a wee laugh at the Scottish international laying it on a bit thick it would likely make Robbie Keane blush.
Speaking to the BAFC official website, he said:
“The attraction was a bit of everything. It sounds a bit crazy but I’ve actually had an affection for Bournemouth for years now.”
The club have apparently been tracking him for years and that’s why he’s had an ‘affection’ for them.
“Believe it not Bournemouth put a bid in for me back in my Inverness days as a really young player. You could say I’ve looked out for the club for a good few years now.”
Ryan continued:
“As soon as I heard the club were an option, I managed to speak to Scott Parker and with the way he spoke, he’s a big encouragement in terms of the brand of football and the way his teams play.
“From watching what he did with Fulham and then seeing him come to Bournemouth I think I’m taking a big step in the right direction.
“The whole feeling of it was right and even though I did have a couple of other options this was the one that I was just desperate to get over the line.”
Speaking about Celtic’s start to the season, Ryan said he wrestled with a move a little because of the positivity around the place ultimately it was his draw of playing down south – even in the championship that won the day.
“It was a massive decision, especially with the new manager coming in at Celtic and the club starting really well.
“Everything was very positive after a frustrating season last year, so it was about sitting down and weighing up my options, but I came to the decision that I was desperate to try this challenge and it’s the perfect time for me to try it.
“I’ve had six great and successful years at Celtic and hopefully that can help me even more in coming down and doing really well for Bournemouth.
“I wanted to put as a big priority moving to a team where I thought I’d fit in and it would suit my style of play. After speaking to the manager and keeping a close eye on Bournemouth in the last few weeks and games I really got that feeling.”
Christie will join up with his new club after the international break. Celtic haven’t brought in a replacement for the midfielder and could find themselves short if injuries occur to key players throughout the season.
Does anybody believe Christie would have put his neck on the line at Ibrox and jeopardised his dream move to Bournemouth,so close to the transfer window closing ? I don’t.
He should have withdrawn from the squad.
Nope at times in that game he did not try,and he set them up with pass backs and gave free kicks away just outside our box,better than that he sent a great chance over the bar,now he is at a club where you do not need to win week in week out,as for Edouard his chance was easy as it gets a fast foot in and out a big toe hit right in back of net took his eye off the ball,but again with a club that you do not need to win week in week out to the two of best of luck…
Good riddance to a hot and cold player, he scored some great goals but a lot of his shots landed in row Z. I wonder if the size of his paypoke was anything to do with his move, as they say, all that glitters etc. Perhaps that may lower his standards, time will tell.
Christie was a selfish player in my opinion. He will be forgotten in no time at all. I also think that Nir Britton is a very good midfield player and this is the opportunity to return him to the midfield. His passing and awareness are excellent and we now have plenty of central defenders. So there is no need to play him out of position.
Cheerio, good luck as the new kicker in the NFL !@