Ex-Celtic star Shaun Maloney praises Ryan Christie’s recent improvement

Add as preferred source on Google

Scotland take on Belgium in a crunch Euro 2020 qualifier this week with a fellow countryman in the opposing dugout hoping to plot their demise. Shaun Maloney, the former Celtic and Wigan Athletic attacker, is on the coaching staff of Roberto Martinez’s Belgian national team. 

The 36-year-old, who spent two stints at Parkhead as a player, has been discussing some of the Celtic players currently in the Scotland side, as he told The Herald.

That included high praise for his former team-mate James Forrest but also central midfielder Ryan Christie. 

“But it has been nice to see James (Forrest) get some recognition for what he has achieved. He has been excellent for both club and country and has been exceptionally consistent, too.

“But it’s not all about James [Forrest]. Ryan Christie has gone on to another level over the last six months.”

TBR’s View

There is no doubting Forrest’s talents and form over the past 18 months. However, Christie has been one of Celtic’s most improved players in recent times. 

Loaned out to Aberdeen on two occasions in 2017, he became a first-team fixture at Celtic at the start of last season. Christie went on to score 11 goals and assist nine last term and is currently on track for a far more productive season this term. Christie already has eight goals and five assists from 13 games with Celtic this season and could be a key factor for Scotland against Maloney’s Belgium. 

Of course, that depends on his selection. Christie missed out on a starting spot against Russia last week, with club team-mate Callum McGregor, Aston Villa’s John McGinn, and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay. 

Maloney will probably be hoping the Celtic midfielder is again left on the bench.