Former Celtic ace Ryan Christie is finding Premier League starts hard to come by at AFC Bournemouth with manager Gary O’Neil admitting that the Scotland international is in an ‘unfortunate’ position, speaking to the Daily Echo.
Christie was already in-and-out of O’Neil’s XI. And regular opportunities in the first team are becoming increasingly rare following an extensive January overhaul; the likes of Dango Ouattara and Hamari Traore now standing in the 28-year-old’s way.
Christie has only played half an hour of Premier League football in Bournemouth’s last five top-flight games. And though he impressed off the bench during Saturday’s shock 1-0 win over a supposedly revitalised Liverpool, O’Neil admits that the one-time Aberdeen favourite has a challenge on his hands going forward.
“Ryan’s been unfortunate really in the last few (games) to play as little as he has,” says O’Neil. “And he knows this as well.
“His training effort and his performances when he does come on have been of a very good level. The same as (against Liverpool).”
Former Celtic ace Ryan Christie struggling for starts at Bournemouth
Christie has started only 12 Premier League matches since Bournemouth’s promotion, scoring one goal and providing no assists. One of the most creative talents in the division during his time at Celtic, the Scottish schemer has not really lived up to expectations since his cut-price £2.5 million move to the Vitality Stadium during the summer of 2022.
O’Neil, however, insists that Christie remains a key part of his plans, even after the arrivals of Traore and the excellent Ouattara
“He’s still very, very important. He’s an incredible lad as well,” the manager said before that Liverpool win.
“His training levels have not dropped by one per cent. Some changes you can make here or there and, just for the last couple (of games), it hasn’t been Ryan Christie. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be moving forward.
“He’s a really important player for us and I’m still delighted he’s part of the group.”
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