​Ryan Christie is hungry to push Scotland back into more major finals after tasting the World Cup for the first time. Scotland finally ended a 28-year wait to reach football’s biggest tournament, only to suffer disappointment as they exited at the group stage. The Bournemouth midfielder, who played in all three group matches, called the experience “amazing” and said the scale of support was unforgettable. “Seeing all the Scotland fans over there was incredible. The atmosphere was electric,” he told BBC Scotland. Christie started the 1-0 defeat to Morocco and came on as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over Haiti and the 3-0 loss to Brazil, a result that left Scotland without a place in the knockout rounds of a major finals.
In the first 72 hours after the exit, Christie admitted feeling gutted, explaining that the team had been desperate to progress from the group. “But I had such a good time with that bunch of boys who have been together for so many years now. When you finish, you’re just hungry for more. I’m desperate now to go to more tournaments, just thinking when’s the next one?” he said.
Although Euro 2028 will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, the four home nations must still navigate qualifying. There are two automatic spots reserved for hosts that fail to qualify from the group stage, which gives Scotland confidence in competing at the finals. “We were determined to qualify for a World Cup and we ticked that box,” Christie noted, after signing a new three-year contract with his Premier League club last month. He added: “Now we really want to go to a tournament and make an impression. It’s the next step for our nation.”
Christie’s commitment to Scotland remains strong. He signed a four-year extension prior to the World Cup while Steve Clarke’s tenure remained in place; Clarke stepped down as soon as it became clear Scotland could not advance, a moment Christie described as “very emotional.” The 31-year-old has earned 71 caps and previously played for Scotland at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 under Clarke. Christie recalled the moment Clarke announced the decision to the players, saying, “He called a meeting, which we thought was to draw a line under the tournament. Naturally, everyone was shell-shocked and gutted.” Clarke’s legacy within Scottish football remains significant, and Christie paid tribute to a man who “has done so much for us and obviously goes down as a Scotland legend. He’ll be missed.”
Looking ahead, Christie is focused on continuing Scotland’s ascent. “I’m looking forward to seeing who comes in and hopefully we can go on a good run again,” he said, underscoring his eagerness to help the nation make deeper runs in future major finals. After a World Cup experience that affirmed his hunger for more, Christie prepares for the next challenge, ready to contribute to a Scotland side intent on leaving a stronger mark on the international stage.