Inverness Give Permission To Ryan Christie To Discuss Terms With Celtic
Celtic are closing in on the signing of Ryan Christie after Inverness gave the Scotland Under-21 international permission to speak to the Scottish champions.
Photo by Jeff Holmes
Celtic are closing in on the signing of Ryan Christie after Inverness gave the Scotland Under-21 international permission to speak to the Scottish champions.
Celtic had an initial bid for the 20-year-old rejected on Friday but now look set to conclude a deal before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
An Inverness statement read: As a result of a further approach from Celtic FC, and following discussions with the management team and the player, the board of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC can confirm that Ryan Christie has been given leave to travel to Glasgow to discuss personal terms.''
Christie could be one of several new arrivals at Celtic Park with Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk expected to sign for Southampton.
Celtic have renewed interest in 21-year-old Dinamo Zagreb defender Jozo Simunovic after signing Manchester United left-back Tyler Blackett on loan on Saturday. The 21-year-old Old Trafford player can also play at centre-back.
Christie is more likely to be one for the future with Inverness boss John Hughes confirming on Saturday that he hoped Celtic would loan the attacking midfielder back to Caley Thistle for the rest of the season, if a deal went through.
Christie, whose father Charlie played for both Celtic and Inverness, won the Scottish Football Writers' young player of the year award and starred as Caley Thistle beat Ronny Deila's men in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals last season.
Christie has scored nine goals in 66 first-team appearances, including two this season, and can play wide midfield as well as just off the striker.