Neil Lennon believes that Number 10 is Ryan Christie’s best position despite playing him wide right for most of his last season in charge of Celtic.
Christie was forced to miss two spells of action due to SFA protocols but fortunately wasn’t in close contact with John Fleck which has allowed him to play a full part in Scotland’s build up to the European Championships.
When James Forest was injured in September Lennon alternated between Jeremie Frimpong and Christie playing wide right with neither able to fulfil the role in the way Forrest had.
With Odsonne Edouard the only available striker and Diego Laxalt playing all over the left hand side there was a serious lack of shape about the Celtic side as the season collapsed around Lennon.
Discussing the Scotland team to face the Czech Republic on Monday, the former Celtic boss told The Times:
With Ryan Christie’s contract situation at Celtic he’ll want to put himself in the shop window and try to peak for this tournament. Steve has gone with Ryan off the striker and I think that works for him. Number ten is Ryan’s best position. He’s a fit lad, he gets around the pitch. You need legs all over the park.
Ché Adams offers pace, power and good movement but Lyndon Dykes has done so well for Scotland. He’s maybe not a natural finisher but he’s an asset in the air, he’s a good out ball for Scotland and at set plays he will be important. He’s got that extra height defensively for attacking the ball. Maybe Steve will go with the two strikers but I think he likes Ryan to give him that creativity and balance and help the midfield.
In Lennon’s final Celtic match, a defeat away to Ross County, he played three ‘Number 10’s’ with Tom Rogic and David Turnbull joining Christie in the side.
Christie scored one goal in his last 21 Celtic appearances under Lennon, CLICK HERE for his appearances on Soccerbase.