Christie’s Dad Can Try To Kid People All He Wants. His Son Left Celtic For Money.

I wrote here last week about how people at Celtic were genuinely shocked at Ryan Christie’s departure.

We offered him a good deal to stay, a deal that was pretty close to what Bournemouth were giving him in terms of wages.

What swung it was that they also offered him a whopper of a signing on fee, which of course we couldn’t match. That was the difference maker. The player himself had considered staying at Parkhead and right from the start of this saga I’ve said he was listening to bad advice.

Today Charlie Christie has defended the move saying that Bournemouth is a stepping stone for his son.

If you’re laughing reading that you aren’t alone.

Celtic to the English Championship isn’t a stepping stone.

You are not competing in Europe.

You are one player amongst the toughest competitive league in Europe.

And he’s 26 years old.

What if Bournemouth end up stuck there? What if they spent the duration of Christie’s contract as mid-table battlers? He could have as easily stayed at Celtic and got himself a move to a mid-table EPL side if that’s what he wanted from his career.

Ryan Christie left Celtic for money.

Or rather, because his advisors convinced him to leave for money.

Those who are calling Bournemouth a backward step aren’t doing it to disparage Ryan as a footballer, they are doing it because it’s a fact, because it’s true, because the Championship is a step down from winning trophies and playing in Europe.

It’s none of our business, really, but there’s only one question Charlie Christie should be getting asked when he assures people that this wasn’t about money, that this is about football ambition and moving forward; “what was your cut Chuck? What was your cut?”

He’s the agent, so it would have been sweet. Real sweet.