On form Christie has hoops fans questioning why hes not at the club.
Celtic’s recent champions league qualifier against Rosenborg has revealed a glaring flaw in Brendan Rodgers invincible squad.
Without hit men Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths up top, the hoops looked impotent in front of goal. Granted that Griffiths will most likely be available for next week’s tie, the teams incapabilty in the final third has caused worry among some fans.
The basic thinking being that in the case that some time throughout the season both strikers are unavailable, our striking options are limited to youth or an out of position midfielder.
Christie himself is a midfielder however he has shown of late that he has a keen eye for goal. The young Scot has netted 9 times in 18 appearances for Aberdeen, his most recent coming in their Europa League clash with Apollon Limasol.
Aberdeen 1 Apollon Limassol 0:
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) July 27, 2017
The Dons continue to lead through Ryan Christie's goal - follow the game here https://t.co/Wo9T5S7jRe pic.twitter.com/uWCxSrc7wq
Why is he at Aberdeen?
Christie originally went out on loan last year as manager Brendan Rodgers thought the best way for the youngster to progress into a better player would be to be playing regular football. As Celtic were unbeaten and on a fantastic run of form, chances of playing regularly were slim.
This seasons deal is slightly different though, with the purchase of Jonny Hayes from Aberdeen, Derek McInnes requested that Christie come the other way on loan to help the Dons both domestically and in Europe.
His recent vain of form has had some Celtic fans questioning that decision on social media.
Would you call Ryan Christie back from Aberdeen
— Brock McVeigh (@brockcelticbhoy) July 28, 2017
Can we recall @ryanchristie2 ?He would make a difference to the squad.
— Michael (@Luby07) July 28, 2017
Can we get Ryan Christie back b4 next Wednesday?
— Steff the GLASWEGIAN Bhoy (@rsmorrow1964) July 28, 2017
Celtic do not have the power to call Christie back from his loan spell even though they are the parent club. Even if they did it is highly unlikely that Brendan Rodgers would do so.
Manger Rodgers spoke to the media today and claimed the reason for the lack in depth of strikers is due to the level of the league.
He said;“With all due respect to Scottish football, you can’t have three top strikers, You are not playing in the Premier League or a real competitive league.”
Rodgers went on to say that he was not diminishing the toughness of the league simply stating that its “equally as tough but in a different way”.
Next: Rodgers blames SPFL for no third striker
The manager is still enjoying somewhat of a honeymoon phase and rightfully so seeing as last season was one of the most successful in club history. But if his recent interview is to be believed and he is thinking is that the squad can get by with just two strikers all year, it may cause some fans to question why trigger happy Christie was allowed to leave at all.