Ryan Christie has established himself as a key member for Celtic (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Celtic have kick-started talks to hand midfielder Ryan Christie a new contract that would keep him at the club until 2023.
Christie, 25, rose through the ranks of Inverness FC’s youth system and joined Celtic in the summer of 2015. But he was sent on several loan spells. He improved himself during an 18-month loan spell at Aberdeen FC and returned to Celtic Park in the summer of 2018.
Since then, he has been a regular member of the squad and has established himself as a key figure under Neil Lennon. He has been impressive in the last two seasons and is contracted with the club until 2022. Thus, the Scottish giants should hand a new deal to Christie and keep him at the club.
The Hoops claimed the league title for the 9th time in a row as they finished 13 points ahead of rivals Rangers when the season came to an abrupt end.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has managed to get the best out of his players and Christie has been one of the influential figures in the squad. And for the club to maintain its dominance in Scotland, the manager should try to keep hold of his best players in the squad.
The Scottish champions managed to score 89 goals in the league in 2019/20. Star forward Odsonne Edouard led the line brilliantly with 21 goals. However, the major reason for their consistency in front of goal is the brilliance of their attacking midfielders who created enough chances.
Christie and Tom Rogic are the two attacking midfielders in the squad and both have them have done a fine job. However, it is the Scottish international who has played regularly, featuring in 24 league games this term.
In the process, he has racked up 11 goals and assists each and this is one of Christie’s most productive seasons in the Scottish top-flight. Only Odsonne Edouard scored more goals in the league for the Hoops than the former Inverness man.
The 25-year-old’s creative head has improved a lot this season and has been a leader in their creative department. His numbers prove that he is a goal-scoring midfielder and that could come in very handy for the club in the future.
At 25, Christie has a lot more to offer at the highest level and the Hoops must enjoy his services in the upcoming seasons. He is capable of providing them with goals and could be their leader in the midfield in the future. Thus, handing him a new deal would be a wise and sensible decision by the Scottish giants.
