Ryan Christie backed to make big impact at Celtic

With the transfer window now open and Ronny Delia being linked with several players, one new face in Ryan Christie has already arrived and hopes to help Celtic to domestic honours this season.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder was signed by the Parkhead club from Inverness Caley Thistle for £500,000 in August but was loaned back to the Highlanders for the rest of the campaign, but with a clause to recall him in January if they wished.

Ronny Deila took up that option and the player has now started his career with the SPFL Champions.

Russell Latapy was Caley Thistle’s assistant manager for 18 months and helped to develop Christie.

He is delighted the player has been given an opportunity to play at a higher level and has no doubt the Scotland under-21 man will prove to be a huge asset to Celtic. He believes he will create goalscoring chances for Leigh Griffiths and enjoy learning from Kris Commons.

Latapy, who left his position as assistant to Inverness manager John Hughes earlier this season, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled for Ryan that he has been given a chance to play for Celtic. It’s an exciting time for him.

“He is one of the rising stars in Scottish football and I have absolutely no doubt that he will do well and go on to have a fine career at Celtic. He has the ability to make an impact. The way he floats from wide areas and into the middle of the park causes defenders all sorts of problems.

“He is still young and learning his trade but there has been an enormous improvement in his all-round game and his physicality in the past 12 months.

“The Celtic management – Ronny Deila, John Collins and John Kennedy – are willing to sign young Scottish players and play them.

“It’s only a matter of time before he gets an opportunity in the first team and he’ll get better from seeing someone such as Kris Commons every day in training. Ryan can also pick a pass for a team-mate and he’ll do that for Leigh Griffiths because of the intelligent runs Griffiths makes.

“But, of course, it’s the same for Ryan as it is for any other footballer – it’s going to be all down to him.

“If he continues to train hard, live properly off the field and listen to sensible advice from coaches and team-mates, he will do very well.”

During his own playing career, Latapy starred for Rangers after moving to Ibrox – turning down Celtic in the process – to sign for Dick Advocaat in a £1 million transfer from Hibs.

Latapy knows about the mental strength required to handle being in the spotlight and is sure Christie has what it takes in that department.

He has been out of top-team action since mid-November with a knee injury, but is now back in light training and may well join full training with the top team at the end of next week.

Latapy stressed: “It was unfortunate Ryan picked up an injury earlier this season. He’ll be as determined as ever on his return.

“Ryan is level-headed boy. Being at a club the size of Celtic does require something extra special. It’s not just about what you can do with the ball at your feet, it’s about having the whole package.

“He also has good people to lean on, such as his father (Charlie Snr), and that will prove to be invaluable at different stages.

“I wish Ryan the best of luck and I’m proud to have played a very small part in his development.

“He is a fine young man, a credit to his family and Inverness Caley Thistle.”