Caley Thistle midfielder Ryan Christie hopes thriving in Scotland’s under-21 side can help him realise his dream of becoming a full international.
Christie received a double boost this week, firstly being named Premiership young player of the month for February, before he was named in Danny Lennon’s national under-21 squad for next Thursday’s friendly against Hungary.
The 19-year-old hopes he can use the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of players such as Andy Robertson, Stevie May and Ryan Gauld who have all been selected by first-team manager Gordon Strachan after impressing for the under-21s.
Christie said: “Outside of the club I’ve always wanted to play international football. To be involved with the under-21s over the last few months has been brilliant. It’s been a really good experience.
“The longer I can stay there the better.
“Gordon Strachan has shown he’s more than happy to pull youngsters up. Andy Robertson went up to the first-team and he’s been top class.
“That’s a real boost for all the boys in the under-21s, knowing if we keep doing well at club and international level we might go a step further.”
Christie has been capped twice at under-21 level, having made his debut in last September’s 3-0 win against Luxembourg in the European championship qualifiers.
However, his latest call-up is his first since Lennon replaced Billy Stark as manager, and Christie revealed the former St Mirren manager contacted him to introduce himself shortly after his appointment last month.
Christie was encouraged by what Lennon had to say and added: “The way Danny likes to play football suits me. It will be really interesting to see what kind of formations he’ll have us playing.
“The squad we have at under-21 level, with players like Ryan Gauld, is really strong.
“Danny gave me a call a couple of weeks ago, just touching base and asking me a lot of questions about the club and how I think I’ve been doing.
“That certainly gave me a confidence boost, just for him to go out of his way to do that certainly helps me. I’m sure he did it with other boys, too.
“To get a chat with him and hear how he likes to play football was brilliant.”