Could Brendan Rodgers soon be forced to rely on Celtic’s Ryan Christie?

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Ryan Christie has thrived on loan at Aberdeen but can he have the same impact at Scottish Premiership champions Celtic?

Ryan Christie is heading back to Celtic this summer after proving his worth during 18 months on loan at Aberdeen.

According to The Express, The Dons were keen to sign their 2016/17 Young Player of the Year on a permanent deal but Celtic were having none of it. They promptly handed Christie a new contract and made plans for the Scotland international to return to Parkhead.

But could the 22-year-old be about to play a far bigger role than he might have expected at the club he joined from Inverness back in 2015?

According to the Daily Record, Celtic could lose their influential Australian Tom Rogic this summer with the Socceroos star unwilling as it stands to sign a new contract. Southampton scouted him in the Old Firm thrashing of Rangers.

And The Sun claims that Callum McGregor is considering a move too. Watford and Bournemouth are tracking the £10 million-rated academy ace, who is keen to prove himself in England.

Celtic, then, would lose two of their most potent creative outlets, a pair who have contributed 19 goals and 17 assists between them in 2017/18.

So Christie could have a big part to play. He himself has eight goals and 15 assists in all competitions for Aberdeen and, should Rogic or McGregor leave, he has the vision, creativity and eye for the spectacular to replace either of them in the centre of the park.

But could Brendan Rodgers find himself relying on a player he has decided to loan out twice in the last two years?