Celtic supporters have been reacting on Twitter after former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Danny Williams claimed Ryan Christie is more than good enough to play in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old creative talent is set to enter the final few months of his contract at Parkhead over the summer, sparking speculation that the £8.1m-rated man (as per Transfermarkt) could be set for an imminent exit.
Christie has come in for some criticism from the Celtic supporters throughout the current campaign, but he has still managed to record very respectable numbers for the Glasgow giants in 2020/21, scoring seven goals and providing 14 assists in all competitions.
Williams played alongside the Scotland international as the pair lifted the Scottish Cup for Caley Thistle back in 2015 and believes his former teammate has always been destined to play at the highest level possible.
“Players ask who the best you’ve played with is and I always say Ryan,” said the now-Halifax Town man in an interview with the Daily Record.
“I reckon he could easily play in the Premier League. I look at players like James Maddison, who played in Scotland and is now in the Premier League, and I don’t think there’s any difference. He’s easily at that level. I played against the likes of John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong.
“They are top players as well and you see how well they have done in England. Ryan is every bit as good, if not better. It will be interesting to see what happens this summer. I’m sure he loves playing for Celtic and they are a big club.
“There is the challenge of the Premier League, which might appeal to him.”
However, it’s clear the Celtic fans don’t share Williams’ faith in Christie.
“This is a wind-up surely”
“He’s 26 years old now, and RC final decision making, his passing, and his shooting are really poor. He should have worked out by now how to improve the poorer parts of his game, he hasn’t. That tells you everything you need to know about him as a football player.”
“I’m a Celtic fan and I can’t believe people think he would walk into a premier league team he’s rotten and lazy”
“ridiculous”
“Who tipped that his da?”
“He’s rotten”
A recent report revealed that Christie’s contract only lasts until January 2022, rather than the summer of that year, and therefore, the former Scottish champions could lose him on a free transfer as early as this summer.
In other news: ‘We’ll lose him’ – Lots of Celtic fans urge club to give ‘breath of fresh air’ 18 y/o a chance