Sunderland eye deal for Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie

Sunderland are reportedly keen on signing Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie, initially on loan, with a view to a permanent move in January.

By The Newsroom Tuesday, 21st August 2018, 12:24 pm Updated Tuesday, 21st August 2018, 12:34 pm

Sunderland target: Celtic's Ryan Christie in action in a pre-season friendly against Standard Liege. Picture: SNS Group

Jack Ross is focusing on bringing in attacking reinforcements but admitted he wouldn’t rule out bringing in another wide player.

He told The Scotsman’s sister paper Sunderland Echo: “If we had everybody fit, then I would probably say yes [I’m happy with my squad].

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“I include players like Aiden [McGeady] and Duncan [Watmore] in that. In wide areas you could argue we could do with maybe another one in an attacking sense, but when those two are fit, then no. “It is a real balancing act at the moment. I am loathe to have my squad too big, it dilutes what you are trying to do.”

Jack Ross is keen to bolster his squad due to injuries to key players. Picture: SNS Group

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Scotland international Christie spent the last 18 months on loan at Aberdeen, but returned to Celtic for pre-season and featured off the bench in the Champions League qualifiers against Alashkert and Rosenborg.

However, the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle playmaker’s contract at Parkhead runs out next summer and The Sun is reporting that the 23-year-old won’t be offered a new deal.

Christie would join a sizeable contingent of Black Cats with experience of the Scottish top flight including Glenn Loovens, Alim Ozturk, Chris Maguire and Dylan McGeouch as well as McGeady and Watmore.

The Inverness-born midfielder has made just 15 appearances for Celtic since signing for the club during Ronny Deila’s tenure. He flourished at Pittodrie last season, chipping in with eight goals and 15 assists as the Dons secured second place in the Scottish Premiership table.