CELTIC star Ryan Christie has revealed he’s helping close pal Kieran Tierney through his injury nightmare.
Arsenal’s £25million man has been ruled out for three months after undergoing a shoulder operation.
Former Celtic star KT, 22, had just returned from a long-term pelvic injury when his curse struck again.
Christie, 24, has been in the wars himself over the last year, and needed surgery after a horror eye injury.
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He’s in regular contact with Scotland team-mate Tierney, and backed him to make the Euro 2020 play-offs.
Christie said: “I was watching the West Ham v Arsenal game on TV when the injury happened to Kieran.
“I sent him a text straight away just to see if he was alright.
“He got back to me saying it was quite bad and that he might have to go for surgery. I’m gutted for him. He’s had shoulder problems in the past — and now it’s the other side.
“It’s even worse with KT because of the injury problems he’s had before. He missed out towards the end of last season with Celtic because of injury.
“He went down to Arsenal, got himself back fit, and was looking good after playing a few games.
“Then he goes and does his shoulder. It’s a nightmare for him, but KT is one of strongest characters mentally I’ve ever met.
“It is tough, especially in that situation where you’ve just moved to a new club, and you are trying to impose yourself and show what you can do.
“I have no doubt he’ll bounce back, and it would be great to have him available for the Euro 2020 play-off.
“Even the last couple of Scotland camps, I was on to him asking him if he was injury-free and available.
“He just missed out on those, which is frustrating for him personally and also for us. The quality of player he is, you want him available for those huge games next March.”
Tierney needed emergency dental surgery during the 2017 Scottish Cup final win over Aberdeen, but made it back to Hampden to lift the trophy.
Christie insists that attitude is proof he will come back stronger than ever.
He added: “KT’s a hard nut – harder than me anyway! I would still have been in my hospital bed.
“The mental strength just comes from your love for football, and the desperation to want to get back playing every week. That’s what we love doing.
“Whoever the Arsenal manager is when KT comes back, he’ll show them what he can do. It just comes from his mentality and fighting spirit.
“He had that when he was coming through here at Celtic as a young boy. It’s ten times harder to come through as a youngster at a big club like this.
“He has shown that spirit throughout his career, and I’m sure he’s desperate to get back as soon as possible.”
Christie is fit and flying for Celts these days, and bagged his 17th goal the season against Hearts.
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He is the Hoops’ top scorer, but revealed he has set more targets for the final three games of 2019.
Christie said: “I’d have bitten your hand off if you told me I’d be top scorer.
“We’ve still got a few more games before the break, so I’m looking to add to my tally.
“I want to hit the targets I set for myself between the start of the season and the break. That will stand me in good stead for the second half of the season.
“I got off to a good start in the European qualifiers at the start of the season, and sort of adjusted my targets from there.
“I’ve found it helpful. It stops you resting on what you have done previously, but I keep it in-house.
“I’ll tell my Dad and my close friends about what I’m trying to achieve. It gives you something to work towards, and it also helps to break the season up into chunks.
“It’s not just about goals. Assists are also important. The gaffer has stressed that to me since I’m playing in the No 10 role.”
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