League One Sunderland were reportedly hoping to sign Celtic’s seldom-seen Scottish Premiership star Ryan Christie before the transfer window shut.
It seemed for all the world that Ryan Christie would be on his way out of Celtic before the summer transfer window slammed shut.
The play-maker shone on loan at Aberdeen last season, scoring eight times and setting up 15 goals in all competitions, sparking talk of a role in Celtic’s first-team and an extension to a contract due to expire in 2019.
But since returning to Celtic, Christie’s only action initially came during a Europa League qualifier and nine minutes off the bench against Hamilton. And, as it stands, the Scottish Premiership champions have still not tied him down to a new deal.
The Scottish Sun, therefore, claimed that he would be let go with Jack Ross’s Sunderland hoping to sign him on loan with a view to a permanent deal in January.
By the time the window closed on Friday, however, Christie was not a Sunderland player. And if the Old Firm derby is anything to go by, the 23-year-old still has a part to play at Celtic after all.
With Celtic leading against Rangers by a narrow one-goal margin, Brendan Rodgers brought Christie off the bench for the final 15 minutes at Parkhead.
Coming on at a crucial time in the biggest game of the season so far, the manager clearly trusted Christie to help see out a valuable win.
This was a big show of faith from a manager who had previously struggled to find a place for Christie in his plans.
Was that 15-minute cameo the start of his Celtic career under Rodgers?
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