The former Hoops and Aberdeen star said he warned his pal of the Scottish Premiership intensity.
Ryan Christie claims that he encouraged Bournemouth teammate Julian Araujo to make his Celtic loan switch in January - but also warned him that football in Glasgow is a different kettle of fish compared to south of the border.
The Mexico International has been a mainstay for Martin O’Neill at right back and is quickly becoming a fans favourite at Parkhead, partially down to his ability to rile the Rangers team up in the last two Old Firm derbies. Araujo certainly hasn’t backed down from the challenge of featuring for the champions and could be a key part of their title charge going forward.
Christie, who won three titles during his six years at Celtic Park, believes he had ‘a hand’ in the Araujo deal and claims he warned him prior to his move about the intense Glaswegian rivalry. The Scotland International is certain his teammate has the minerals to be a Celtic success story.
Araujo has perfect ‘personality’ for Scottish game - Christie
He told The Scottish Sun: “I did have a hand in Julian making his move to Celtic. He was actually down in Bournemouth a couple of days ago. It’s funny speaking to him about it. Very funny. I tried to warn him before he went up. I said, ‘The fans are a different level up there. Get ready for that’.
“And the first thing he said when I saw him this week was, ‘Why didn’t you warn me?’ But I did and he’s absolutely loved it. He’s loved Glasgow too. Julian’s picked up a wee knock but he’s desperate to get fit again as soon as he can and get back playing. He’s a good laugh. He’s a good fit. He’s got a big enough personality to go and deal with playing in the Old Firm games.”
Christie is nearing his fifth year playing with The Cherries and is loving life on the south coast playing under Andoni Iraola. He recently was on target against Manchester United in their 2-2 stalemate at the Vitality Stadium. However, the 31-year old still says he’s keeping up with the Scottish game and feels as if the current competitive nature of the league can only help the National Team.
Intense title race aiding Scottish National Team
He added: “The Scottish league’s properly heated up now. It’s amazing to watch it being outside of it. It would be a different story if I was in there. It’s good and it’s the same with the boys playing across Europe and playing European football, guys like Lewis Ferguson and John McGinn.
“Everyone with clubs who are going down to the wire in major tournaments is cool. It’s brilliant. I’m sure that the gaffer’s message will be the same even after this camp. If you do well for your club between now and the end of the season, then it will only benefit us going into the summer.”
Scotland will face Japan and Ivory Coast in Friendly matches over the next fortnight as Steve Clarke prepares his side for their first World Cup since 1998. Celtic stars Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston have both been selected for the upcoming fixtures.
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