Celtic’s Christie working to keep goal-scoring run going

The Celtic midfielder has been in a rich vein of form and scored his 18th goal of the season against Hearts.

Ryan Christie’s impressive form has part of Celtic’s success story this season and the midfielder scored his 18th goal of the season against Hearts on Wednesday night.

The Scotland international said that although his side had opened up a five-point lead on nearest challengers Rangers, they were keeping a narrow focus on their own games and not thinking about other teams.

“[Extending the lead] was obviously our aim going into the game,” he said. “We know how big these games are in the lead up before the break. The manager was drilling that into us to have the winning mentality going into every game. Really happy to do it tonight at a tough venue but then again we need to go another huge game at the weekend.

“I think its a bit of a cliche but we’re very focused on ourselves right now. If we keep winning then the pressure is on everyone else. That’s all we can do. between now and the break, three massive games, hopefully three wins and that will put us in a good place.”

And though he wouldn’t reveal his personal targets for the season, he hopes to bag another couple of goals before the winter break.

“It’s my job as an attacking player to create and score goals, especially in this team with the players I’ve got around me and the kind of football we’re playing right now, I know going to a game that I’m going to get one or two chances so it falls to me to take them. Luckily enough right now they seem to be going in.

“I did set a target but as I said before, I’m not telling you! I keep getting asked that. A couple more before the break and I’ll be happy.”