Ryan Christie

Ryan Christie (born 22 February 1995) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership club Celtic and the Scotland national team. He began his career with Inverness Caledonian Thistle before joining Celtic in 2015, and had two spells on loan at Aberdeen. He has also represented the Scotland under-21 and full national teams.

This article is about the footballer. For the Canadian ice hockey player, see Ryan Christie (ice hockey).

Ryan Christie
Personal information
Full name Ryan Christie[1]
Date of birth (1995-02-22) 22 February 1995
Place of birth Inverness, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Celtic
Number 17
Youth career
2005–2013 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 56 (9)
2015– Celtic 75 (25)
2015 → Inverness Caledonian Thistle (loan) 7 (1)
2017-2018 → Aberdeen (loan) 45 (10)
National team‡
2014–2016 Scotland U21 9 (1)
2017– Scotland 14 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:09, 3 January 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 November 2020

Club career

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Christie was born in Inverness in 1995; he is the son of footballer Charlie Christie, who was playing for Caledonian Thistle at the time and who had previously been a reserve player with Celtic.

Christie joined the Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth system aged 10,[2] before eventually signing his first professional contract in 2011.[3] He signed a new deal with the club under Terry Butcher, and was among several youngsters to be promoted to the club's first team.[4][5]

Christie made his debut in the Scottish Premiership against Celtic on 29 December 2013.[6][7] He came on as a substitute in the 100th minute in the Scottish League Cup Final against Aberdeen, a game that Inverness lost on penalties.[8] Despite this, Christie helped the club finish in the top-six of the Scottish Premiership. His first goal for Inverness came in a 2–1 loss against Motherwell on 1 April 2014.[9] Christie added two more goals later in the season against Dundee United and St Johnstone.[10][11] After impressive displays for Inverness, Christie signed a new contract with the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.[12]

Christie scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season in a 2–0 win over Hamilton Academical.[13] Christie's performances against Dundee, Motherwell, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle saw him win the SPFL Young Player of the Month for August.[14] During a match against St Mirren in October 2014, he was sent-off for the first time in his career – being dismissed by referee Willie Collum for two-bookable offences.[15] Christie added to his earlier success by winning the SPFL Young Player of the Month award for February 2015,[16] and his eye-catching form over the whole season subsequently saw him shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award.[17] Although he didn't win that accolade, he was later honoured with the SFWA Young Player of the Year award.[18] Christie started the 2015 Scottish Cup Final and was later substituted for James Vincent, who scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Falkirk.[19] After the match, Christie described winning the Scottish Cup as "unbelievable, hard to put into words".

2015–16

On 1 September 2015, Christie joined Celtic on a four-year deal. After signing for the Scottish champions, Christie was immediately sent back to Inverness on a season-long loan deal.[20] He sustained a knee injury against Motherwell in November, and was recalled by Celtic so he could work with their medical staff at their Lennoxtown training complex.[21] In December 2015, Celtic announced they would be recalling Christie from his loan spell at Inverness.[22]

Christie made his debut for Celtic on 23 January 2016 in their 3–1 win over St Johnstone, coming on as an 88th-minute substitute for Stuart Armstrong.[23]

Aberdeen loans

On 24 January 2017, Christie joined Aberdeen on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[24] He scored his first goal for Aberdeen on 4 February 2017, in a 2–0 win against Partick Thistle.[25] He helped Aberdeen finish second in the 2016–17 Scottish Premiership and progress to the 2017 Scottish Cup Final, but was unable to take part in the cup final because it was against his parent club Celtic.[26]

Christie returned to Aberdeen on loan for most of the 2017–18 season, moving in June 2017 as part of a deal for Jonny Hayes.[27]

2018–19

Christie returned to Celtic for the 2018–19 season. Neil Lennon, who returned to Celtic as manager later in the season, said in July 2019 that he had wanted to sign Christie for Hibernian during the summer of 2018 as part of a proposed deal for John McGinn.[28] In the 2018–19 League Cup semi-final against Hearts at Murrayfield, Christie won a penalty, caused a goalkeeping error and hit a "wonderful left-foot shot" leading to each goal in the eventual 3–0 victory.[29] Christie signed a new contract with Celtic in November 2018.[30] On 2 December, he scored the only goal of the 2018 Scottish League Cup Final at Hampden against former club Aberdeen.[31] His season ended abruptly on 14 April 2019 in the Scottish Cup semi-final, again at Hampden against Aberdeen, when he suffered facial fractures in an aerial collision with opponent Dominic Ball, who was sent off for the reckless nature of the challenge.[32][33]

2019–20

Christie scored a hat-trick in a 7–0 win against St Johnstone in the first game of the 2019–20 Scottish Premiership season.[34] In October 2020, he scored the opening goal of the 2019–20 Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen (delayed from its usual April scheduling due the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland, which also led to Celtic being awarded the Premiership title after the season was curtailed) with a curling left-footed shot from outside the penalty area – Celtic won 2–0.[35] In the final against Hearts he scored a very similar goal, again the first of the match, but then missed his penalty in the subsequent shootout following a 3–3 draw after extra time; he was the only Celtic player to fail with his attempt as they won the trophy.[36]

International career

On 25 August 2014, Christie was called up by Scotland U21.[37] After being left on the bench against Slovakia U21, Christie finally made his Scotland U21 debut against Luxembourg U21 on 9 September 2014, coming on as a substitute for Lewis Macleod in the second half, which Scotland U21 won 3–0.[38][39]

Christie received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad for a friendly against the Netherlands in November 2017,[40] and played the full 90 minutes of the 1–0 defeat.[41] He scored his first international goal on 16 November 2019, opening the scoring with a curling shot from outside the penalty area in a 2–1 away win over Cyprus in UEFA Euro 2020 qualification.[42] In September 2020, he scored penalties in successive matches as Scotland drew with Israel[43] and defeated the Czech Republic in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.[44]

In October 2020, Christie was required to pull out of the Scotland squad for a Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel after being in close contact with Stuart Armstrong, who had tested positive for COVID-19.[45] A month later, Christie returned to the team and scored Scotland's only goal in the Euro 2020 play-off final against Serbia; they won the tie after a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw, qualifying for a major tournament for the first time in 22 years.[46]

Career statistics

Club
As of 31 January 2021[47]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2013–14[48] Scottish Premiership 153101000173
2014–15[49] Scottish Premiership 354601000424
2015–16[50] Scottish Premiership 6200002[lower-alpha 1]082
Inverness Caledonian Thistle (loan) 2015–16[50] Scottish Premiership 7100200091
Total 63107040207610
Celtic 2015–16[50] Scottish Premiership 5110000061
2016–17[51] Scottish Premiership 5100101[lower-alpha 2]071
2017–18[52] Scottish Premiership 0000000000
2018–19[53] Scottish Premiership 239302210[lower-alpha 3]03811
2019–20[54] Scottish Premiership 2411213014[lower-alpha 4]74319
2020–21[55] Scottish Premiership 2132[lower-alpha 5]1109[lower-alpha 6]2336
Total 7825837234812738
Aberdeen (loan) 2016–17[51] Scottish Premiership 136210000157
2017–18[52][47] Scottish Premiership 32452204[lower-alpha 1]2438
Total 45107320425815
Career total 18645226132401026163
  1. Appearances in the Europa League
  2. Appearances in the Champions League
  3. 2 appearances in the Champions League, 8 appearances in the Europa League
  4. 6 appearances and four goals in the Champions League and 8 appearances and 3 goals in the Europa League
  5. One appearance in the previous season’s Scottish Cup which was rescheduled to October due to COVID-19
  6. 2 appearances and one goal in the Champions League and 5 appearances in the Europa League

International appearances
As of 12 November 2020[56]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland 201710
201840
201961
202033
Total144

International goals

As of match played 12 November 2020. Scotland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Christie goal.

No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 16 November 2019 GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus 10  Cyprus 1–0 2–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
2 4 September 2020 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 12  Israel 1–0 1–1 2020–21 UEFA Nations League B
3 7 September 2020 Andrův stadion, Olomouc, Czech Republic 13  Czech Republic 2–1 2–1
4 12 November 2020 Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia 14  Serbia 1–0 1–1 (a.e.t.) UEFA Euro 2020 qualification

Honours

Club

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Celtic

Individual

References
  1. A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18. 7. John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine. 2018.
  2. "Club statement: Ryan Christie". Inverness Courier. 27 September 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  3. "Christie's son among new youth signings". Inverness Courier. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  4. "Kidderminster midfielder linked to move north". Inverness Courier. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  5. "Butcher backing young players to shine in SPL next season". Inverness Courier. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  6. "Inverness CT 0–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  7. "Ryan Christie - Football Stats - Celtic - Age 21 - Soccer Base".
  8. "Aberdeen 0 – 0 Inverness CT (AET, 4–2 on pen)". BBC Sport. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  9. "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 – 2 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  10. "Inverness CT 1–1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  11. "Caley Thistle finish season on a high". Inverness Courier. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  12. "Inverness CT: Ryan Christie wins new two-year contract". BBC Sport. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  13. "Hamilton Academical 0–2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  14. "Inverness CT win trio of SPFL monthly awards". BBC Sport. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  15. "St Mirren 0–1 Inverness". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  16. "Ross County's McIntyre and ICT's Christie win February awards". BBC Sport. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  17. "Celtic's Van Dijk & Johansen join Rooney & Stewart in award mix". BBC Sport. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  18. "Ryan Christie is Scottish football writers' young player of the year". BBC Sport. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  19. Lamont, Alasdair (30 May 2015). "Inverness CT 2–1 Falkirk". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  20. "Ryan Christie: Celtic agree four-year deal for Inverness player". BBC Sport. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  21. Third, Paul (13 November 2015). "Celtic recall Ryan Christie early following injury". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  22. Bean, Graham (23 December 2015). "Celtic recall Ryan Christie from Inverness loan". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  23. Wilson, Richard. "Celtic 3 - 1 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  24. Jackson, Keith (24 January 2017). "Celtic starlet Ryan Christie joins Aberdeen on loan until end of the season". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  25. Davie, Scott (4 February 2017). "Aberdeen 2–0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  26. Lamont, Alasdair (23 May 2017). "Ryan Christie: Ineligible midfielder will not be in stands for Aberdeen v Celtic cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  27. "Jonny Hayes: Celtic sign winger as Ryan Christie returns to Aberdeen on loan". BBC Sport. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  28. Sked, Joel (29 July 2019). "Hibs missed out on the signing of Ryan Christie from Celtic reveals Neil Lennon". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  29. "Hearts 0–3 Celtic: 'Sensational' Ryan Christie seizes his opportunity". BBC Sport. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  30. "Celtic: Ryan Christie signs new three-year contract that 'tops off an amazing period'". BBC Sport. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  31. "Scottish League Cup final: Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen - Rodgers leads Celtic to seventh straight domestic trophy". BBC Sport. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  32. Celtic star Ryan Christie shares gruesome photo showing damage from Dom Ball collision, Daily Record, 15 April 2019
  33. Ryan Christie to undergo facial surgery after incident in Celtic-Aberdeen Scottish Cup semi-final, The Scotsman, 16 April 2019
  34. "Ryan Christie's hat-trick inspires Celtic to demolition of Saints". The Observer. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  35. Ryan Christie looking to end long wait for Scottish Cup final with Celtic after stunning strike in semi-final, Andrew Smith, The Scotsman, 1 November 2020
  36. Celtic win fourth straight Scottish Cup as Hazard's shootout saves break Hearts, Ewan Murray, The Guardian, 20 December 2020
  37. "Christie scores call-up to Scotland under-21s". Highland News. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  38. "Luxembourg U21s 0 Scotland U21s 3: Boss Billy Stark sees hope for the future as Sporting Lisbon star Ryan Gauld gets off the mark". Daily Record. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  39. "Scotland U21 profile". Fitbastats.com. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  40. "Scotland: Interim manager Malky Mackay calls up three new faces for friendly". BBC Sport. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  41. "Scotland 0—1 Netherlands". BBC Sport. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  42. Cyprus 1 Scotland 2: Steve Clarke's side benefit from early lucky break to move into third place in Group I, Glasgow Times, 16 November 2019
  43. Scotland 1-1 Israel: Nations League campaign begins with draw, STV News, 4 September 2020
  44. Czech Republic 1 Scotland 2: David Marshall heroics and woodwork to rescue in Nations League victory, The Scotsman, 7 September 2020
  45. "Scotland trio out after positive test". BBC Sport. 7 October 2020.
  46. "Scots win for whole nation - Christie". BBC Sport. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  47. Ryan Christie at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  48. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  49. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  50. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  51. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  52. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  53. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  54. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  55. "Games played by Ryan Christie in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  56. Ryan Christie at the Scottish Football Association
  57. "Celtic secured an eighth consecutive title in style with a convincing win away to wasteful Aberdeen". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  58. "Celtic champions & Hearts relegated after SPFL ends season". BBC Sport. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  59. "Rangers 0 – 1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
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