Eight games, four goals, four assists: Ryan Christie would have been better Sunderland option compared to Max Power

Add as preferred source on Google

In the summer, Sunderland were being heavily linked with a move for Ryan Christie. The Celtic midfielder had previously enjoyed a spell on loan at Aberdeen and former St Mirren boss Jack Ross had been impressed by what he saw. According to the BBC, Ross wanted Christie at the Stadium of Light, with his first-team opportunities at Celtic looking minimal.

However, Sunderland never managed to bring in the midfielder. In the end, they snapped up Max Power instead. That looked just as good an addition. Power has top experience at a League One level with Wigan Athletic and would no doubt help Sunderland in their promotion push.

However, Sunderland would undoubtedly swap the pair now.

Power was sent off at the weekend. It was his third red card of the season already, resulting in a five-game suspension, which has since been rescinded.

Christie, on the other hand, has soared into the spotlight. Injuries in Celtic’s central midfield position have given the 23-year-old his long-awaited Celtic chance. He has taken it with a firm grasp.

Christie has four goals and two assists in his last six games for Celtic. Such form has even seen him claim a starting role for Scotland. He claimed three assists in the recent clashes with Albania and Israel that saw Scotland secure UEFA Nations League promotion.

That takes his recent record to four goals and four assists in his past eight games for club and country. In the same period, Power has picked up three red cards and provided no goals or assists.

If only Sunderland could have got their hands on Christie instead.