By Frank McAvennie

24th Jun, 2020 | 8:00pm

'I'm a big fan, I spoke to his Dad'- Exclusive: McAvennie raves as Celtic open talks on new deal

Frank McAvennie has heaped praise on Ryan Christie after Neil Lennon revealed that the club plan to offer the Celtic player a bumper new deal.

However, the former Hoops and West Ham striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, accused the 25-year-old of going down to easily and urged him to stay on his feet more often.

Neil Lennon revealed that the club would “love” to offer the midfielder a new contract and the Scottish Sun claim talks are in line to begin.

Christie signed his last extension in 2018 and still has two years remaining on his current deal.

The Scotland international was in fine form last season – his 43 appearances across all competitions yielded 19 goals and 16 assists.

When asked by Football Insider if the former Aberdeen loanee was deserving of an improved contract, McAvennie said:

“He has two years left on his contract and they are doing the right thing in trying to tie the boy down and it is great that they want to reward him.

“He has done very well this season.

“I am a big fan or Ryan’s. I knew his Dad, he was at Celtic when I was there so I spoke to him.

“Ryan’s biggest problem for me is that he goes down too easy and he is a big lad as well. Stay on your feet because referees are not given him anything now.

“At the beginning he got a lot of free-kicks which was great but they have cottoned onto him. That is the only thing I see wrong with his game.

“He is great at holding it up, he can bring people into the game, get forward and score goals.”

In other Celtic news, Noel Whelan has told Football Insider newest recruit can one day be manager of the club.

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