Celtic hero Lubo Moravcik admits he would “understand” if reported Burnley and Norwich City target Ryan Christie wanted to leave for a Premier League club, speaking to the Celtic Huddle Podcast.
If anything sums up the gaping financial chasm between Scottish football and things south of the border, it’s this.
In recent years, Celtic have lost a host of star players to mid-to-low-ranking Premier League clubs, including Victor Wanyama, Ki Sung-yueng and Stuart Armstrong.
Kristoffer Ajer, meanwhile, one year after being linked with AC Milan, is expected to join perennial water-treaders Newcastle United.
And, according to the Daily Mail (4 May, back page), Scotland international Christie could be about to take that familiar route with newly promoted Norwich and 16th-placed Burnley jostling to sign the talented attacking midfielder.
Christie, strangely enough, will become a free agent midway through next season. The Celtic hierarchy, therefore, may consider cut-price bids.
And while some will question the wisdom of swapping silverware and European football at Celtic for a potential relegation battle in England, Moravcik believes that’s just the way things are these days.
“Celtic is a very big club – but the English Premier League is a big motivation,” says the two-time Scottish Premiership champion. “There is better money for the players and, because of that, it’s difficult to resist and stay for a long time at Celtic.
“For me, the Premier League is the best competition ever and I think it’s a dream for everybody to play there. So, I understand (why Christie would want to go).
“It’s logical. It’s a dream to play in the Premier League – and he’s at a good age now to move.
“I think that’s the role the Scottish league has in football, to prepare the players – especially at Celtic and Rangers – for the English league.
“We have to accept that situation, because that’s how it is. We’re not in the 1970s or 1960s, we’re in the 21st century.”
Christie may not be universally popular among the demanding Celtic fanbase but the one-time Inverness youngster has still produced 14 assists and seven goals this season, drifting in from the right to devastating effect.
Christie would add some cutting edge and creativity to a workmanlike Burnley side. And, if Norwich is his destination, the former Aberdeen loanee would have no trouble adapting to Daniel Farke’s swashbuckling style.
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