‘GUTTED’, BUT RYAN WILL BE HAPPY TO BE ON SPOT AGAIN, SAYS DAD

RYAN CHRISTIE had the game to forget when Celtic lost their 100 per cent domestic home record on Sunday.

The classy playmaker squandered the opportunity to give the Hoops the lead when he saw his penalty-kick saved by Allan McGregor.

Christie was taken off near the end of the 2-1 defeat against Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side and whisked to hospital to undergo emergency groin surgery.

Despite the critical spot miss from 12 yards his dad Charlie, who had a brief spell at Parkhead in the eighties, has backed his boy to take the next kick.

Christie Snr, talking to the Scottish Sun, said: “It was a decent save by Allan McGregor. It was at a good height. Ryan’s gutted, of course, but more for the defeat.

“He’s the designated penalty-taker and it will be up to the manager and the coaching staff if he takes the next one.

“But I know this for sure, Ryan won’t shy away from the responsibility if it’s still his.

“He’ll happily take the ball and will be determined to make up for the miss against Rangers.”

Christie also passed up an opportunity from the spot in the 4-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall last month although he followed up to thump in the rebound.

It’s unclear how long the 18-goal Scotland international will be sidelined. The champions fly to Dubai for a week of winter training this weekend and their next fixture in the January 18 Scottish Cup-tie against Partick Thistle at Firhill.

* HAPPY New Year, folks, from the CQN team. We hope 2020 is prosperous and peaceful for you and yours!