Ryan Christie Explained

Ryan Christie
Full Name:Ryan Christie[1]
Birth Date:22 February 1995
Birth Place:Inverness, Scotland
Height:1.78 m
Position:Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub:Bournemouth
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2005–2013
Youthclubs1:Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Years1:2013–2015
Clubs1:Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Caps1:56
Goals1:9
Years2:2015–2021
Clubs2:Celtic
Caps2:95
Goals2:27
Years3:2015
Clubs3:Inverness Caledonian Thistle (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:1
Years4:2017–2018
Clubs4:Aberdeen (loan)
Caps4:45
Goals4:10
Years5:2021–
Clubs5:Bournemouth
Caps5:107
Goals5:4
Nationalyears1:2014–2016
Nationalteam1:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps1:9
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2017–
Nationalteam2:Scotland
Nationalcaps2:52
Nationalgoals2:6
Club-Update:22:42, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23 June 2024 (UTC)

Ryan Christie (born 22 February 1995) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger[2] for Premier League club Bournemouth and the Scotland national team.

Christie 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.

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,[3] before eventually signing his first professional contract in 2011.[4] 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.[5] [6]

Christie made his debut in the Scottish Premiership against Celtic on 29 December 2013.[7] [8] 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.[9] 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.[10] Christie added two more goals later in the season against Dundee United and St Johnstone.[11] [12] After impressive displays for Inverness, Christie signed a new contract with the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.[13]

Christie scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season in a 2–0 win over Hamilton Academical.[14] Christie's performances against Dundee, Motherwell, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle saw him win the SPFL Young Player of the Month for August.[15] 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.[16] Christie added to his earlier success by winning the SPFL Young Player of the Month award for February 2015,[17] and his eye-catching form over the whole season subsequently saw him shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award.[18] Although he didn't win that accolade, he was later honoured with the SFWA Young Player of the Year award. 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. After the match, Christie described winning the Scottish Cup as "unbelievable, hard to put into words".

Celtic

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.[19] 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.[20] In December 2015, Celtic announced they would be recalling Christie from his loan spell at Inverness.[21]

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.[22]

Aberdeen loans

On 24 January 2017, Christie joined Aberdeen on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[23] He scored his first goal for Aberdeen on 4 February 2017, in a 2–0 win against Partick Thistle.[24] 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.[25]

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.[26]

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.[27] 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.[28] Christie signed a new contract with Celtic in November 2018.[29] On 2 December, he scored the only goal of the 2018 Scottish League Cup Final at Hampden against former club Aberdeen. 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.[30] [31]

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.[32] 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.[33] In the final against Hearts he scored a very similar goal,[34] again the first of the match and with almost the same amount of time elapsed, 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.[35]

AFC Bournemouth

On 31 August 2021, Christie moved to England, joining Championship club AFC Bournemouth on a three-year contract, for a reported transfer fee of around £1.5 million.[36] [37] On 11 September 2021, Christie came off the bench to make his Bournemouth debut in the side's 3–0 win over Barnsley.[38]

International career

On 25 August 2014, Christie was called up by Scotland U21.[39] 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.[40] [41]

Christie received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad for a friendly against the Netherlands in November 2017,[42] and played the full 90 minutes of the 1–0 defeat.[43] 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.[44] In September 2020, he scored penalties in successive matches as Scotland drew with Israel[45] and defeated the Czech Republic in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.[46]

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.[47] 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 on a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw, qualifying for a major tournament for the first time in 22 years.[48]

Christie was a member of Scotland's squad for UEFA Euro 2020,[49] making one appearance at the tournament in the team's opening 2–0 defeat to the Czech Republic.[50]

On 7 June 2024, Christie was named in Scotland's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[51] A week later, he started the opening match of the tournament against Germany,[52] winning his 50th cap for Scotland in the 5–1 loss. [53] He went on to appear as a substitute against both Switzerland and Hungary as Scotland finished bottom of Group A with one point from three matches.[54] [55]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Inverness Caledonian Thistle2013–14Scottish Premiership1531010173
2014–15Scottish Premiership3546010424
2015–16Scottish Premiership133002020173
Total63107040207610
Celtic2015–16Scottish Premiership5110000061
2016–17Scottish Premiership5100101071
2017–18Scottish Premiership0000000000
2018–19Scottish Premiership23930221003811
2019–20Scottish Premiership241142301474520
2020–21Scottish Premiership345211091467
2021–22Scottish Premiership 4000005191
Total95271037239915141
Aberdeen (loan)2016–17Scottish Premiership136210000157
2017–18Scottish Premiership324522042438
Total45107320425815
AFC Bournemouth2021–22Championship3831000393
2022–23Premier League3211130362
2023–24Premier League3703031431
Total107451611186
Career total31051297193451140172

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Scotland201710
201840
201961
202053
2021100
202291
2023100
202471
Total526

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Christie goal.

No.!scope="col"
DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
116 November 2019GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus101–02–1UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
24 September 2020Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland121–01–12020–21 UEFA Nations League B
37 September 2020Andrův stadion, Olomouc, Czech Republic132–12–12020–21 UEFA Nations League B
412 November 2020Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia141–01–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
524 September 2022Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland332–12–1 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B
63 June 2024Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé, Portugal481–02–0 Friendly

Honours

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Celtic

AFC Bournemouth

Individual

August 2014,[15] February 2015[17]

2014–15[62]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL – Squad List 2021/22: AFC Bournemouth – In Squad Players . English Football League . 4 . 1 October 2021.
  2. Web site: Ryan Christie Positions. 10 November 2023.
  3. News: Club statement: Ryan Christie. Inverness. 27 September 2015. 10 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171110172116/http://ictfc.com/news/team-news/1606-ryan-christie. 10 November 2017.
  4. News: Christie's son among new youth signings. Inverness Courier. 15 May 2011. 18 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001233/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Christies-son-among-new-youth-signings-13052011.htm. 31 December 2013.
  5. News: Kidderminster midfielder linked to move north. Inverness Courier. 24 May 2013. 18 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518224548/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Kidderminster-midfielder-linked-to-move-north-23052013.htm. 18 May 2014.
  6. News: Butcher backing young players to shine in SPL next season. Inverness Courier. 27 June 2013. 18 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518224924/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Butcher-backing-young-players-to-shine-in-SPL-next-season-27062013.htm. 18 May 2014.
  7. News: Inverness CT 0–1 Celtic. BBC Sport. 29 December 2013. 23 June 2015.
  8. Web site: Ryan Christie - Football Stats - Celtic - Age 21 - Soccer Base.
  9. News: Aberdeen 0 – 0 Inverness CT (AET, 4–2 on pen). BBC Sport. 16 March 2014. 18 May 2014.
  10. News: Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 – 2 Motherwell. BBC Sport. 1 April 2014. 18 May 2014.
  11. News: Inverness CT 1–1 Dundee United. BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. 18 May 2014.
  12. News: Caley Thistle finish season on a high. Inverness Courier. 11 May 2014. 18 May 2014. 9 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141009140901/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Caley-Thistle-finish-season-on-a-high-11052014.htm. dead.
  13. News: Inverness CT: Ryan Christie wins new two-year contract. BBC Sport. 16 May 2014. 16 May 2014.
  14. News: Hamilton Academical 0–2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle. BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. 23 June 2015.
  15. News: Inverness CT win trio of SPFL monthly awards. BBC Sport . 11 September 2014. 12 September 2014.
  16. News: St Mirren 0–1 Inverness. BBC Sport. 20 October 2014.
  17. News: Ross County's McIntyre and ICT's Christie win February awards. BBC Sport . 15 March 2015. 16 March 2015.
  18. News: Celtic's Van Dijk & Johansen join Rooney & Stewart in award mix. BBC Sport . 23 April 2015. 27 April 2015.
  19. News: Ryan Christie: Celtic agree four-year deal for Inverness player. BBC Sport . 1 September 2015. 1 September 2015.
  20. News: Third. Paul. Celtic recall Ryan Christie early following injury. 18 January 2016. The Press and Journal. 13 November 2015.
  21. News: Bean. Graham. Celtic recall Ryan Christie from Inverness loan. 18 January 2016. The Scotsman. 23 December 2015.
  22. News: Wilson. Richard. Celtic 3 - 1 St Johnstone. 24 January 2016. BBC Sport.
  23. News: Celtic starlet Ryan Christie joins Aberdeen on loan until end of the season. Jackson. Keith. 24 January 2017. Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 24 January 2017.
  24. Web site: Aberdeen 2–0 Partick Thistle. BBC Sport. Davie. Scott. 4 February 2017. 4 February 2017.
  25. Web site: Ryan Christie: Ineligible midfielder will not be in stands for Aberdeen v Celtic cup final . Alasdair . Lamont . BBC Sport . 23 May 2017 . 23 May 2017.
  26. Web site: Jonny Hayes: Celtic sign winger as Ryan Christie returns to Aberdeen on loan. BBC Sport. 17 June 2017. 17 June 2017.
  27. News: Hibs missed out on the signing of Ryan Christie from Celtic reveals Neil Lennon . Joel . Sked . The Scotsman . 29 July 2019 . 4 August 2019.
  28. Web site: Hearts 0–3 Celtic: 'Sensational' Ryan Christie seizes his opportunity . BBC Sport . 28 October 2018. 28 October 2018.
  29. Web site: Celtic: Ryan Christie signs new three-year contract that 'tops off an amazing period' . BBC Sport . 12 November 2018 . 23 November 2018.
  30. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-star-ryan-christie-shares-14337444 Celtic star Ryan Christie shares gruesome photo showing damage from Dom Ball collision
  31. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/in-full/ryan-christie-to-undergo-facial-surgery-after-incident-in-celtic-aberdeen-scottish-cup-semi-final-1-4908540 Ryan Christie to undergo facial surgery after incident in Celtic-Aberdeen Scottish Cup semi-final
  32. News: Ryan Christie's hat-trick inspires Celtic to demolition of Saints . The Observer . 3 August 2019 . 4 August 2019.
  33. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/ryan-christie-looking-end-long-wait-scottish-cup-final-celtic-after-stunning-strike-semi-final-3021765 Ryan Christie looking to end long wait for Scottish Cup final with Celtic after stunning strike in semi-final
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyt8dEhe1Ys Ryan Christie Goals v Aberdeen and Hearts
  35. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/20/celtic-hearts-scottish-cup-final-match-report Celtic win fourth straight Scottish Cup as Hazard's shootout saves break Hearts
  36. Web site: Christie completes Cherries transfer. 2021-08-31. AFCB.
  37. Web site: Transfer news: Celtic's Ryan Christie joins Bournemouth. 2021-08-31. Sky Sports. en.
  38. Web site: Bournemouth 3–0 Barnsley. bbc.co.uk. 11 September 2021. 12 September 2021.
  39. News: Christie scores call-up to Scotland under-21s. Highland News. 25 August 2014. 23 June 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111338/http://www.highland-news.co.uk/Sport/Football/Inverness-Caley-Thistle/Christie-scores-call-up-to-Scotland-under-21s-25082014.htm. dead.
  40. News: 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. 23 June 2015.
  41. Web site: Scotland U21 profile . Fitbastats.com. 20 June 2017.
  42. Web site: Scotland: Interim manager Malky Mackay calls up three new faces for friendly . BBC Sport . 30 October 2017 . 31 October 2017.
  43. News: Scotland 0—1 Netherlands . BBC Sport . 9 November 2017 . 10 November 2017 .
  44. https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18041459.amp/ Cyprus 1 Scotland 2: Steve Clarke's side benefit from early lucky break to move into third place in Group I
  45. https://prod.news.stv.tv/sport/scotland-1-1-israel-nations-league-campaign-begins-with-draw?top Scotland 1–1 Israel: Nations League campaign begins with draw
  46. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/international/czech-republic-1-scotland-2-david-marshall-heroics-and-woodwork-rescue-nations-league-victory-2964109 Czech Republic 1 Scotland 2: David Marshall heroics and woodwork to rescue in Nations League victory
  47. Web site: Scotland trio out after positive test. BBC Sport . 7 October 2020.
  48. News: Scots win for whole nation – Christie. BBC Sport. 12 November 2020. 13 November 2020.
  49. Web site: Scotland's full 26-man Euro 2020 squad. 1 June 2021. 15 June 2024. The Athletic.
  50. Web site: Euro 2020: Scotland 0-2 Czech Republic - Patrik Schick double downs Steve Clarke's side . 13 June 2021 . 15 June 2024 . BBC Sport.
  51. Web site: Record-breaking goalkeeper Gordon out of Scotland's Euro 2024 squad. 7 June 2024. 15 June 2024. Reuters.
  52. Web site: Ruthless Germany humble 10-man Scotland in Euro 2024 opener. BBC Sport. 15 June 2024.
  53. Web site: Ryan Christie: Germany were 'pretty impressive'. New York Times. 15 June 2024.
  54. Web site: Scotland 1-1 Switzerland: Clarke's men keep Group A hopes alive. 24 June 2024. UEFA.
  55. Web site: Scotland vs Hungary: Line-ups. 24 June 2024. UEFA.
  56. Web site: Inverness CT 2–1 Falkirk . BBC Sport . 30 May 2015 . 4 June 2015 . Alasdair . Lamont.
  57. Web site: Celtic secured an eighth consecutive title in style with a convincing win away to wasteful Aberdeen.. BBC Sport. 4 May 2019.
  58. News: Celtic champions & Hearts relegated after SPFL ends season. BBC Sport. 18 May 2020. 18 May 2020.
  59. Web site: Scottish League Cup final: Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen - Rodgers leads Celtic to seventh straight domestic trophy . BBC Sport . 2 December 2018 . 2 December 2018.
  60. Web site: Rangers 0 – 1 Celtic . BBC Sport . 8 December 2019 . 8 December 2019.
  61. News: AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest. BBC Sport . 3 May 2022 . 6 June 2022.
  62. Web site: Ryan Christie is Scottish football writers' young player of the year . BBC Sport . 17 May 2015 . 18 May 2015.