Derek McInnes hopes to sign Celtic loanee Ryan Christie permanently

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Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie has spent the season on loan at Aberdeen, and Derek McInnes hopes to sign him permanently.

In comments reported by the Daily Record, Derek McInnes has suggested that he would love to explore the possibility of signing Ryan Christie from Celtic on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

Christie has been a key part of Aberdeen’s plans since he first signed for the Dons on loan during the 2017 January transfer window. He returned to Pittodrie for a season-long loan spell in the summer.

The Record reports that the 23-year-old is out of contract with the Hoops at the end of next season. And McInnes has suggested that if there is the possibility of another deal when his current loan ends, he would like to try and get something done – but admitted that it is out of his hands.

“The plan is for Ryan to go back to Celtic at the end of the season,” he said, as reported by the Record. “But if we are told any different to that then of course I would like the opportunity to work with him again.

“It is Celtic and Ryan’s call if I am being honest.”

Christie has been impressive during his time with Aberdeen this term, scoring three goals and contributing four assists in the Scottish Premiership, so it will certainly be interesting to see what Celtic make of his time away from the club.

The Hoops are well catered for in the middle of the park, so Brendan Rodgers may perhaps feel that, as good as he has been with Aberdeen, he remains somewhat surplus to requirements and the time may be right to sell with his contract expiring in 2019.

And given the connection that he has built up at Aberdeen, it would hardly be a surprise if the Dons were at the front of the queue if it did become clear that he was available during the summer.