Caley Thistle midfielder Ryan Christie says family bragging rights are firmly at stake as he looks to help deliver the club’s first major silverware.
Christie played in Sunday’s 3-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win against Celtic at Hampden Park and helped Inverness reach the final of the competition for the first time, with Falkirk the opposition at the national stadium next month.
Christie’s father, former Caley Jags player and manager Charlie, was part of the then First Division Inverness team which famously defeated Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead in 2000, in what is considered the Inverness club’s most famous result in its 21-year history.
Ryan, 20, was in Glasgow that night to watch his father, who was named man of the match, but he is now intent on bettering the achievement by helping John Hughes’ side lift the Scottish Cup next month.
Christie said: “My dad has always gone on about the classic 3-1 win at Parkhead but this is something for me to come back with now.
“I was four at the time and I was at the game.
“I remember travelling down when the game was called off the weekend before, but I can’t remember much of it.
“I had a quick word with my dad after the semi-final and he was delighted. Not just for me but for everyone on the park.
“We made sure Celtic were in a game from the first whistle to the last. Everyone worked hard and it paid off.
“I know how much it means, not just to everyone at the club, but the supporters who travelled down.”
Despite Caley Jags being favourites to win next month’s final against Championship side Falkirk, Christie is not taking anything for granted.
Inverness are currently third in the Premiership and on track to qualify for the Europa League, and Scotland under-21 international Christie is determined for his side to keep its momentum going into the final against the Bairns.
Christie added: “To do what we’ve done and reach a final, it shows the boys in this changing room can make history.
“If we qualify for Europe it will be the first time for the club. We need to make sure our league form does not slip.
“Getting to the cup final, everyone will be delighted. But now we’ve got the chance to go all the way.
“The semi-final will go down in history for us. Against Falkirk in the final there’s maybe a different spin on it because we’re maybe going in as favourites.
“We’ll need to make sure when we turn up we’re on our game.”