Bubbling Ryan Christie to Celtic rumour may already have answer as Bournemouth checklist offers return caveat

A return to Celtic for Ryan Christie has been floated by punters after swirling reports south of the border claiming that Brendan Rodgers was interested with the Bournemouth star in the last year of his contract.

But the 28-year-old may have already given his answer to the Celtic punters. The Scotland playmaker left the Hoops for the Cherries in September 2021 in a deal worth around £2.5million. Christie penned a three-year deal at the Vitality Stadium. He racked up 36 appearances for the English Premier League side last term - scoring twice - as the top-flight's relegation favourites avoided the drop under Gary O'Neil.

He has remained a regular under boss Andoni Iraola this term but has yet to pen a new deal on the south coast with the club facing a relegation battle this term. And based on his mission statement at Bournemouth it could be a case of looking for a fresh challenge.

After sealing promotion from the English Championship, he insisted the Premier League challenge was why he left the Scottish Premiership - which he has now achieved for two seasons. At the time, he said: "I now have this opportunity to play against the best club sides in the world, so it feels really exciting.

"This was why I left Celtic: to play in the Premier League, to get that chance, to show that I could handle it. Well, now I’m here. Now I have that chance.

However, while his initial checklist is complete Christie may not be quite done with life at Bournemouth. After finishing 15th next term, he has admitted he would like to make more memories.

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