RYAN CHRISTIE has hit back at any suggestion he moved down south to Bournemouth for the money by declaring he had more lucrative offers on the table.

The midfielder’s ended his affiliation with Celtic on deadline day with his contract up in December.

The Hoops landed a small fee for Ryan in the end and the club and the player went their separate ways.

When any player leaves Celtic for a lesser club like Bournemouth, there is always the accusation that money is at play.

Let’s get this clear, we are not against anyone chasing the best wages they can get themselves in such a short career, but it can be the reason for many to leave.

For others, it can just be about a different type of challenge and to branch out.

Ryan was never a Celtic man and always had aspirations of moving to England – specifically the Premier League. The Scotland international sits one rung below his ultimate goal but insists he could already be there if he had taken the most lucrative offer on the table:

“In terms of the money grabbing shout that’s going about – I just don’t understand it.” Christie told RecordSport.

“It just confirms to me that most of this stuff comes out of thin air.

“Money-wise, there were better options for me in the Premier League. And if I wanted to be a bit-part player for a club in that league, I’d have gone there.

“But I wanted to join a club where I felt I’d be an important player and there would be pressure on me to play well.

“Bournemouth was perfect as a team who are desperate to play in the Premier League.

“And if we can get up, hopefully I can be a vital player there.

“I didn’t want to come down here, play for a club where I’d get 20 minutes there or there and take up a wage.”

At 26, Ryan will be hoping to help Bournemouth to the Premier League this term. If they don’t make it, he could find his ceiling in the Championship.