Could 'different player' Christie ease Scotland's midfield concerns?

Could Ryan Christie's versatility ease Steve Clarke's growing injury concerns?

In the past week, Scotland midfielders Lewis Ferguson and Stuart Armstrong have both suffered blows that could rule them out of Euro 2024, while Billy Gilmour also remains out as Callum McGregor works his way back to full match sharpness.

Until this season, Christie had almost always been deployed as a winger or attacking midfielder throughout his career, but Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has used him in a deeper role this term.

Last month, Christie's underlying numbers as a midfielder were ranking him above the likes of Manchester City's Rodri and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes in certain categories.

And Scottish coach and analysist John Walker feels Christie's recent development could be vital for Clarke.

"I always thought Christie was somebody in a Scotland squad that could be replaced in the starting 11," Walker said on the Scottish Football Podcast.

"Before the international break he was in top 10 for midfielders in Premier League for presses, overturns, high presses and pressing passers.

"And his game intelligence just appears through the roof. When I watch him, it is genuinely seeing a different player.

"He picks the ball up off centre-halves. He's normally sometimes the deepest-lying playmaker. He's creating more chances from a deeper position than he ever did.

"I think he's at the age now he's finally found a position he looks like he's been playing the whole time because he's so technically good on the ball. He looks like one of those Spanish midfielders from 2010."