Charlie Christie: Ryan being part of World Cup Scotland squad is 'unreal'

The dad of a Highland born football international says it's "unreal" his son is part of the first Scotland men's side to qualify for a World Cup since 1998.

Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie is set to play a vital role in the squad, after coming through the Caley Thistle youth system, coached by his father and club legend Charlie.

The current ICT Chief Executive told us about his pride at watching Ryan's career progress, how he fancies the national side's chances and how there is a "real buzz" right now with the freshly promoted Highland side.

'He's worked his socks off'

As he prepares to head off to the U.S and see Ryan, Charlie explained how he is feeling.

He said: "Fantastic. I'm not going to hide behind it, it's unbelievable.

"It's so unreal, I never thought I'd see this day. I'm so proud, the whole family is proud and the Highlands should be proud.

"He's worked his socks off. 

"As soon as he was old enough to walk, he started kicking a ball and then progressed. 

"He played in a very talented and successful under 12 team at Caley Thistle, same group that Liam Polworth was in 

"That helped him grow as a player. 

"I think any coach that has ever worked with him at any level, whether it was Caley Thistle, Celtic, Bournemouth, Scotland, they have all commented about his terrific attitude. 

"He deserves all he gets, he conducts himself in the right way. 

"The other thing is that he's got bags of ability, he plays on the front foot."

Tips from dad beneficial to Ryan

A Highland football legend in his own right, Charlie made more than 260 appearances for Caley Thistle, after successful spells with Caledonian and Inverness Thistle.

He also scored 25 goals for the Celtic reserve team in the 80s.

We asked Charlie how much his experiences helped in supporting Ryan and providing constructive criticism.

He replied: "I think Ryan would say there has been plenty of criticism. 

"I was quite hard on him.

"In fact the current Caley Thistle manager, Scott Kellacher, worked with him as well as a youngster in the academy, and Scott says I was very hard on him. 

"I sometimes don't think we drive our players in the Highlands quite hard enough to achieve they most they possibly can achieve, whatever level that may be. 

"We tend to be certainly more laid back than our southern counterparts in Scotland. 

"I was keen for him to do well in the game, mainly because I knew he wanted to do well in the game. 

"I tried to use my experiences, I made lots of mistakes in my career, never played at the level Ryan played at, but I tried to pass on tips and he's been good enough to say that's been beneficial to him."

With Scotland's first game against Haiti now just days away, Charlie admits he's apprehensive but feels positive about the national side's chances.

He said: "We've got a chance with the number of teams in the event and the fact a certain number of third placed teams can go through to the knockout stages.

"I think we know the first game is going to be paramount to our chances, but it is going to be difficult. 

"That's what we've got to realise."

'Real buzz' about ICT

While Scotland focuses on the national side, it's all go behind the scenes at Ryan's first club Caley Thistle.

After winning League 1 earlier this year and securing promotion to the Championship, major work is ongoing at the stadium, including on a new hospitality suite.

They've also made another summer signing today, with Liam Sole set to join the club on a permanent one-year-deal once his Livingston contract expires.

Sole made 43 appearances and scored six goals during a loan spell last season

Charlie also explained how there is still a big focus on the youth set-up within the club.

He said: "We've recently taken in four brand new modern apprentices from our youth system. 

"They've got the opportunity to step on the ladder, they look at Ryan Christie and what he's done and try to replicate that. 

"We've given them the opportunity, the pathway is always there. 

"It's been an incredible turn-around for a club we were all worried might not survive, to now being back in the Championship. 

"You look about the stadium there is a real buzz about this place."

Charlie also outlined how the main target for next season is all about consolidation.

He added: "We've got to make sure we're not in a relegation battle. 

"We've seen teams over the current times that have basically gone into the start of the season hoping to challenge at the top for promotion and it has gone the total other way."