Celtic’s biggest battle this transfer window has been fighting off attention for several of their key players, and one man said to be on the shopping list of a Premier League side is Ryan Christie.
Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan controversially believes that the Scotland international could be persuaded to make the move despite the drop in stature.
So what has Whelan said?
When asked if Christie would be tempted to make the move should Sean Dyche’s side have an offer accepted, he said:
“I guess playing in the Premier League, yes.
“We know that Burnley are very well organised and Sean Dyche is a fantastic manager. He’s assembled a very strong competitive side there and is looking to bring in quality from the Scottish Premiership.
“The only plus side is playing in the Premier League. Celtic are a bigger club, Celtic are playing in Europe and Burnley are not going to get into Europe.
“It’s a tough decision, it depends on what you want out of your career. Do you want to miss the chance to play in the English Premier League and it might be your only ever chance or do you stay at Celtic and stay happy?
“We don’t know how things work, we don’t know the money Burnley are going to be offering.
“It’s a tough decision because there’s going to be pros and cons but when you’re at Celtic not many people would need to leave a club like that.”
So is Whelan correct?
It depends how desperate Christie is to play in the Premier League, if at all, I bet if you asked Gary Hooper if he ever regretted leaving Celtic for the chance to play at “a higher level”, he would tell you that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the border.
Is Christie too good for Burnley?
Yes
No
Christie is still only 25-years old and has plenty of time ahead of him, if he continues to perform for the Hoops both domestically and on the continent, and remains one of his countries most influential players, then he will have a choice of clubs rather than just one that is not exactly known for it’s free-flowing attacking football.
Whelan is right, a lot would depend on the money on offer too, football is a short career and just one decent contract in the Premier League can set a player up for life – some players enjoy looking at their trophy cabinet when they finish playing though, and it’s a decision that only Christie will really know the answer to.