Ryan Christie is an enigmatic figure when he dons the green and white hoops of Celtic Football Club.He is also one of the most divisive figures at Parkhead. On his day, the Bhoys dynamo is one of the most dangerous players in Scotland too.Unfortunately, that day seldom came in 2020/21. Christie severely underperformed in the final third but he was asked to play the vast majority of the season out of position.The 27-year-old bagged 20 goals and claimed 16 assists from a number 10 role in 2019/20 but he only found the net on seven occasions last term.Christie was playing out wide in the absence of James Forrest and developed a very nasty trait; shooting from range.The Scotland international has a sweet left foot but when it came to shooting, it was anything but golden.On a repeated basis, he’d cut inside and unleash a shot from range that didn’t trouble the goalkeeper. His teammates would be open and standing in a promising position but nine times out of ten, he’d ignore them.As of April 28th, Christie had taken 51 shots from outside of the penalty area last season, scoring just one goal in the process.He looks as though he could leave this summer, however, with his contract expiring next January.Ange Postecoglou could replace his influence in the squad with Gorica winger Kristijan Lovric.[snack-amp-story url= "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-news-doig-nketiah-mccann" title= "Read the latest Celtic transfer news!"]Celtic are interested in signing the Croat and he’d be a phenomenal signing based on his ability to score goals regularly.Lovric beat the goalkeeper 18 times last term, taking the tally for his current club to an impressive 44 strikes.That said, he absolutely adores taking a pop from outside of the box. According to the Celtic Analysis database, he takes more attempts at goal than 1,132 of the 1,133 wingers on their list.
His shot map is similar to Christie’s but on the evidence provided above, it looks as though he fires even more efforts at goal from range.
That may show that he’s willing to be positive but in order for him to be a success at Parkhead and suit Postecoglou’s style of play, he will have to become smarter offensively.
Though, for a player that’s been compared to Kylian Mbappe, that should be no problem. HNTV commentator Damir Petravic once said: “He dribbles and scores in the style of Robben, shoots free throws like Pirlo or Pjanic, and knows how to sprint like Mbappe.â€
The idea of signing a new Christie may not enthral supporters but his goal record speaks for itself. He’d be a wise signing for Celtic given their lack of depth in a wide area.