Ryan Christie: ‘This was our last throw of the dice’ at helping Scotland reach the World Cup

Ryan Christie explained how some Scotland stars were “not going to let slide” their final crack at taking the country to the World Cup.

The Inverness-born star, now capped 67 times, is in America with his team-mates as they prepare for group games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.

It’s almost 30 years since Scotland were last at World Cup finals, in France 1998.

Steve Clarke’s heroes, who have qualified for the last two European Championships, missed out on the World Cup four years ago when they lost to Ukraine.

Bournemouth midfielder Christie joined former Ross County opponent and friend Jackson Irvine on the Footballers Unfiltered podcast, with both players set for the global stage.

Irvine, who plays for  Bundesliga club FC St Pauli, will captain Australia in their section against USA, Paraguay and Turkey.

‘We needed to grasp this opportunity’

Christie, 31, was asked by Irvine how it felt for the group when they missed out last time by losing that Ukraine play-off semi-final 3-1 in June 2022.

He said: “With the ageing of the group, there was a feeling for a lot of us, especially that core, that this would be the last throw of the dice at qualifying for a World Cup.

“I don’t know about the rest of the boys, but the Ukraine game was a funny one.

“Firstly, it was played in June and it can be hard to keep your levels up. You go on holiday a couple of weeks before it and then report back.

“We did as much as we could to prepare naturally it felt a bit off.

“Obviously, everything that has been going on politically surrounding Ukraine going into the game threw up an extra strange element.

“It didn’t feel until maybe six months after the game that we realised the opportunity we missed.

“When it came around to this campaign, we could not let this one slide. We needed to grasp this opportunity and be the team that qualifies for the World Cup finally for this country.”

‘Denmark game best match I’ve got to watch live – and I was playing in it’

Scotland reached the USA showpiece thanks to the remarkable November night at Hampden when a sensational overhead kick from Scott McTominay and an outrageous Kenny McLean goal from the halfway line sealed a sensational 4-2 victory against Denmark. 

A brilliant third goal from Kieran Tierney and a goal from Lawrence Shankland were vital in securing the three points required to secure top placing in their group and an automatic ticket to the States.

Christie beamed with pride as he told Irvine: “It was incredible.

“There was pressure going into it, probably a lot of it coming from ourselves, knowing it was a last hit for qualification for some of us.

“We said at the start of the campaign if we could take it to a one-game shoot-out with Denmark at Hampden we would fancy our chances.

“It was not the way you would have written it, but that’s how it came to be in the end.

“The game itself was absolutely surreal. I keep telling people it was the best football game I’ve got to watch live – and I was playing in it.

“It was a bizarre feeling, watching the Scott McTominay goal, Kenny McLean’s goal. It was absolutely ridiculous.

‘Pure bedlam’ in the dressing room

“The changing room afterwards was just pure bedlam. The gaffer said some words but, being honest, I can’t remember what he said.

“Family and friends joined us as we went to a bar in Glasgow and celebrated long into the night.

“Believe it or not, I was training with Bournemouth the next morning, so you can imagine the shape I was in. I was sent briefly home about 11.30am I think, but what a night.

“The nice thing was the period afterwards there was two or three weeks of seeing what it meant to the whole country.

“It seemed to transcend football a little bit when you talk to people who had never watched football in their lives who said they were crying watching the game.

“There was such a buzz around the country, similar to the Serbia game (in 2020) when we qualified for the Euros after so long (23 years without being at a major final).

“It brings you so much pride. I’m delighted we managed to get the country there.”

‘Sadly most of my memories are watching Scotland fall short’

Christie, who won three Premiership titles, two Scottish Cup and two League Cups with Celtic, was asked about what it means to represent his country and did he always follow the national team’s fortunes.

He added: “I grew up a massive Scotland fan, naturally. Most people from Scotland are very patriotic.

“I grew up in a footballing family, so whenever there was an international break, especially when the games meant something, we would have family and friends round at our house to watch the game.

“Sadly most of my memories are watching Scotland fall short.

“I honestly didn’t believe I would play for Scotland. I know that sounds strange to say.

“It was my dream growing up, but I didn’t realise how far I could make it in football.

“My first cap for Scotland was one I will never forget (in a friendly against the Netherlands at Pittodrie in 2017). Everything after that has been a complete bonus.”

‘I’m very proud of where I’m from’

The podcast kicked off with Christie’s take on Caley Thistle winning the League One title last month, with his hometown team now back in the Championship after a two-year absence and coming in and out of administration.

He said: “Scott Kellacher, the head coach, coached me through the whole youth system, so I was desperate for him to do well.

“I have so many ties with the club still, so I was delighted to see them get over the line. I think there was a good part in Inverness, which was quite cool.

“I’m very proud of where I’m from and what we managed to achieve, as a club, when I was there.

“There have been some turbulent years for Caley Thistle and Ross County.

“When we were there, the clubs were playing at a level they probably could never have imagined.

“I won’t talk about your old club where it’s a bit of an opposite story (after County were relegated to League One).

“But hopefully the clubs can both work their way up the leagues and find themselves back in the Premiership where I think they belong.”

[Source: Press and Journal]