Ryan Christie did his new Celtic team-mates a favour yesterday by inspiring Inverness Caley Thistle to victory over Aberdeen.
Unfortunately the hoops were only able to pick up a point at home to Hearts trimming the gap between the top two down to four points.
Christie joined Celtic on transfer deadline day but returned immediately to Inverness on a loan deal till January to ensure that he gets regular first team football.
The Scotland u-21 midfielder created the opening goal for Miles Storey in the eighth minute, scored the second 20 minutes later then got sent off for a second booking in the 89th minute.
On the back of an eight game winning start to the Premiership campaign Aberdeen were expected to take full points but came up against a side inspired by Christie.
“Ryan Christie lit the place up and we never got to grips with him,” Derek McInnes admitted. “Even though we dominated the second half, I feel the better team won the game. In my time here, with the disappointment of semi-finals, it’s the poorest first half I’ve seen.
“We allowed their better players to be influential – none more so than Ryan Christie, I thought he was excellent.
The Aberdeen boss added: “It was the same team that beat Celtic a fortnight ago bar one player. Where we were winning challenge after challenge in that game and doing the ugly side of the game that has to be done.
“I didn’t think we were doing that in the first half. We need to make sure we recognise what we are: a hard-working side who have to impose themselves on the opposition first and foremost.”
Next Saturday Aberdeen host St Johnstone with Celtic travelling to Hamilton Accies the following day.
Ryan Christie- what a bhoy hail hail.