Celtic’s Ryan Christie is still unsure of his future with the club.
Preston North End remain at the foot of the Championship table after Tuesday’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Aston Villa, and Alex Neil’s injury problems aren’t helping matters.
The Lilywhites have won just once in the league this season, and that came on the first day of the season as Neil struggles to replicate the form which saw him push for a play-off spot last season.
Even before the season began, Preston were dealt two major blows as star striker Sean Maguire suffered a serious hamstring injury before winger Billy Bodin tore his ACL in training to keep him out for the rest of 2018.
Now, playmaker Josh Harrop is out for the rest of the season as he also suffered a torn ACL in the 3-2 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon, meaning another attacking midfielder may be key in January given that Graham Burke has yet to really make an impact since his summer switch from Shamrock Rovers.
Preston should be in the market for another number 10 to play in Neil’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system, and a deal for Celtic ace Ryan Christie should be on their radar given Neil’s knowledge of Scottish football.
Christie, 23, is out of contract at the end of the season and was heavily linked with a summer move to Sunderland, with The Scottish Sun claiming he won’t be offered a new deal to stay at Parkhead.
With just one league start this season, it seems that the Scottish playmaker isn’t going to change Brendan Rodgers’ mind, even after 15 goals in 58 games during an 18-month loan spell with Aberdeen.
Preston aren’t big spenders but need an injection of quality in January, and Christie can provide that in Harrop’s place, with the Celtic man’s contract situation diminishing his value rapidly, making him potentially ideal for North End, even if their last signing from Scotland – Louis Moult – hasn’t quite impressed since his move to Deepdale.
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