THE Celtic players had one thing on their minds going into the last week or so of action before the international break – win the three games. That they did so amid external off-field distraction engendered the feel-good factor now enveloping the club as they head into this domestic break.
Among the Celts who took part in all three games – the 1-0 win over Hamilton Accies, the 3-1 defeat of FK Suduva and the 1-0 victory over Rangers – was Ryan Christie. Albeit from the bench in each game, the 22-year-old played his part and, like his team-mates and everyone else at the club, he relished the climax of the week in the derby meeting at Paradise.
Speaking today, Christie said: “We're delighted with the result at the weekend but, even before that, we said that if we could win all three games leading up to the international break then that would put us right back on track and we would take real confidence from that.
“If you look back at that, we played good football and obviously to get the three victories is superb. Everyone will be coming back from international break ready to put the foot down.”
The feel-good factor couldn’t have come at a better time as the on-form Celts said goodbye to the transfer window and hailed a break from domestic action for the players.
Christie said of the resurgence in optimism: “It has been very up and down, a strange pre-season stage, but that is finally over and we are obviously delighted to get into the Europa League and we have real aspirations to kick on in that competition as well. We feel we are back to what we know we are as a team and hopefully we can kick on.”
The Hoops will kick on and they will do so without Moussa Dembele up front, but the departure of the French striker to his homeland has opened up doors for other players, including the Inverness-born Celt.
He said: “From a selfish point of view it’s quite good for me. Hopefully that opens up a window of opportunity for me and then it is down to me to grasp that opportunity. Hopefully the manager can have confidence to put me in, even if it is right up front, and like I said, it is up to me to grab my opportunity.”
He added: “The further away from defence the better for me. It is good. I love playing up there. I am happy anywhere across the attacking line up. Especially playing for a club like Celtic where we look to dominate the ball nine times out of 10 in games, that means plenty of opportunities and time on the ball in good areas of the park.”
Playing in an advanced position hasn’t come out of the blue for the forward-thinking midfielder and he revealed that Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers has been easing him into that possible role.
The No.17 said: “The manager spoke to me earlier in pre-season about playing right up top as almost like a false No.9. I played a couple of games in pre-season and I have come on and I have really enjoyed it. It is great to play for a team like Celtic so hopefully I can kick on."
When he signed for Celtic as a teenager in 2015, Christie immediately returned to former club, Inveness Caley Thistle on loan and, just last term, he gained more experience and filled out a bit more with a season-long loan at Aberdeen.
He said: “When I first joined I was still young, and when I went away to Aberdeen I was quite small in stature.It’s hard for me to notice it, but since I’ve came back, people I’ve not seen in a whole year see a difference in me.
“It’s always good to hear that gym work is paying off. It only benefitted my development going up there and, like I said, I think it’s put me in a right good stead. I look back at photos when I first joined Celtic and I look like a wee boy in comparison to what I look like now.
“The sports scientists at Celtic, and even when I was away with Aberdeen, are always on me every other week to make sure I’m still doing my gym programme. It’s benefiting me massively.”