Celtic must heed fans’ demands as Aberdeen dream of Ryan Christie deal

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Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen would love to sign Ryan Christie on a permanent deal from Celtic, manager Derek McInnes has admitted.

Liam Henderson has enjoyed a fine start to his new life in Italy. The one-time Celtic wonderkid brought a premature end to his once-promising Parkhead career in January, joining Serie B side Bari after failing to force his way into Brendan Rodgers’ plans.

The 21-year-old has already set about showing Celtic what they are missing with a goal and an assist in only his fourth game for the club to inspire a 2-1 win away at Ternana, and Hoops fans took to Twitter, up in arms about the decision to let one of Scotland’s most naturally gifted youngsters leave Glasgow.

So imagine the outcry if Celtic permitted Aberdeen to turn Ryan Christie’s loan spell at Pittodrie permanent in the summer.

Christie, who Celtic signed from Inverness in 2015, has been with the Dons for the last 13 months and has established himself as one of the most promising players in the league.

He won Aberdeen’s Young Player of the Year award last season and has followed that up with seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions across 2017/18.

No wonder Celtic fans have been demanding that Christie is wearing green and white next year, some even claiming that he is ‘streets ahead’ of both Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong.

And no wonder Derek McInnes is desperate for the Scotland U21 playmaker to stick around, describing him as a ‘brilliant addition’ in quotes reputed by the Daily Record.

Unlike Henderson, however, there is surely room for Christie in Rodgers’ plans. Celtic, after all, have looked a little short of inspiration in the centre of the park in recent times and the 22-year-old would provide greater creativity and cutting edge.

The decision to let Henderson go was divisive. Repeating the decision with Christie would be downright silly.