If you look back at the end of the season then Ryan Christie’s Celtic numbers will represent an impressive campaign.
The Hoops winger has amassed four goals and also produced 11 assists in the famous green and white. Creatively, he has been a ball of energy but if you analyse his actual performances, they have been inconsistent.
Just as English Premier League onlookers have done with the virtuoso Bruno Fernandes, you can accuse Christie of stat-padding.
On his day, he is superb. His wonderful strike in the Scottish Cup final set Celtic on their way to what ended up as a jubilant day. The winger curled home from range and with it, looked every bit the type of player that Leeds United and Arsenal were interested in.
However, his displays of late don’t merit a move of that ilk. He has been abject for months and continues to let Neil Lennon down. If anybody typified the way the Bhoys have dropped off this term, it would be the 25-year-old. He has scored only once since November 1st, a run stretching as many as 19 matches.
Last term, however, he found the net on 20 occasions while providing 16 assists for his teammates in the process. It was a stellar campaign not only for the player but also for the club.
Though, 2020/21 has been a season to forget for Christie and his teammates. They look set to end the year without the SPFL for the first time in ten years and as a result, a mass exodus could occur.
In fact, as many as 12 players may depart on a free transfer, at the end of their loan spells or after fielding interest from elsewhere.
Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer are the prime candidates to leave given interest from the Premier League and Italy. Though, Christie simply has to be one of the first out the door – that’s providing he’s still an appealing option for teams in England.
After all, in the words of Frank McAvennie it doesn’t look as though he wants to be at Parkhead much longer.
After describing the attacker as “non-existent” for his performance against Kilmarnock last week, the pundit said: “I do not know for sure but I think it looks as if he is considering an exit in the summer. I am not sure if he is ready for the Premier League though. He does not like to be tackled.”
There lies the problem. Christie has become too lightweight and his performances have dwindled considerably.
The Hoops star wasn’t included in the squad last time out because of injury but he’s beginning to be phased out of Lennon’s plans anyway. He is usually a regular starter but only made the bench in the games against Hamilton and St Mirren.
This could be the beginning of the end for Christie’s time at Parkhead. He has been a wonderful servant but this season has been drab and feeble. With just a year left on his contract come the summer, then will be the time to cash in.