Celtic set to offer huge contract extension to superstar

Celtic look set to offer the superstar a long-term contract so that he remains at Parkhead for the foreseeable future.

The transfer rumour mill is full of potential moves, players of interest and big money moves. What about a midfielder who can slot straight into the team, can score goals and will link up superbly with our strikers? Sign him up!

It’s so much easier to assess the performance and potential of players already in your squad. Which means starting talks to secure a long term future at the club for Ryan Christie is not only sensible, it’s as important, if not more so, than sifting through some of the many you tube videos being submitted by hopeful agents.

Christie’s future is very bright coming on the back of a superb season. 19 goals and almost as many assists was a superb contribution to the teams success.  There’s only 11 full international caps but that probably says more about the Scotland set up than the player. Steve Clarke has now recognised Christie’s value and he started him in Scotland’s last 3 games. Staying with Celtic will surely help keep him comfortably on Clarke’s radar too.

Aged 25 he is contracted through to 2022 but now is a great time for the club and player to extend that with a new deal.

Neil Lennon has confirmed he’d like to see that happen and is keen to get those talks underway. The Daily Record quoted Lennon:

"“That’s an avenue we will look to pursue. He was terrific for us last year and I’ve love to give him an extension.““It’s all quiet right now in terms of talks because there’s been so much going on but we’ll be picking that up again soon.”“He scored 20 goals last year and I’m sure he would have added more if the season went on. That’s a fantastic return for a wide man.”“But it wasn’t just his goals. It was his all-round game that was so important for us.”"

A longer contract with an appropriate lift in wages will help tie Christie to Celtic and also avoid his interest being distracted by interest and possible offers from elsewhere. The only slight drawback from Christie’s perspective is whether he feels any deal soon might be restricted by the current financial uncertainty, and maybe he’d get more if he waited. Christie’s form will have put other clubs on alert and watching him closely. Ensuring he remains with the Hoops brings more stability to the squad too.

It’s certainly not all about money , other than that slight concern for the player, this should be a smart move all round.