LIKE every other player in the Celtic squad, Ryan Christie is desperate to test himself against Lazio in tomorrow night’s (Thursday’s) UEFA Europa League Group E clash with Italian side, Lazio.

The Hoops are in the driving seat after the opening two games of the group campaign, with an away draw in France with Rennes, and a thrilling 2-0 home win over Cluj placing the Scottish champions in pole position, a point ahead of Lazio who recovered from an opening night defeat in Romania by overcoming Rennes in Rome.

It’s shaping up to be a classic European night under the lights in Paradise and Christie, who scored in that opening game in France, can’t wait to sample the atmosphere and the occasion against the Serie A outfit.

The midfielder said: “In the aspect of it being a very big game and two big names in Euro football coming together, it’s a brilliant tie for everybody and we’re looking to win.

“If we get a result tomorrow night then we’ve had a very good start to the group. We want European football after Christmas, and to do that, the manager said we have to win all our games at home. That's what we’re aiming to do that.

“Lazio will be one of the best oppositions we’ve come up against this season, but we’re not shying away from it. We’re very positive going into it and all the players are looking forward to it. These are the kind of games you sign for Celtic for. We’re looking forward to having all the fans behind us and taking the game to Lazio.”

Christie, of course, missed out on Saturday’s 6-0 win over Ross County due to his uncharacteristic red card in the previous SPFL outing against Livingston, but that has only made him even more hungry for this midweek action.

He said: “I’m delighted to be back. I was very disappointed with the red card. The only shining light of the two-game suspension was having this in between, so I’m really looking forward to it to getting back on the pitch, but also because of the magnitude of the game as well.

“I’m desperate to get back on the pitch and it’s even better and I can do that in a huge game against Lazio.

“After the Livingston game I had a lot of disappointment in myself, but the international break took me away to concentrate on something else. I’m champing at the bit to get back playing with Celtic again and there’s no better game to do that than against Lazio.”

Ryan Christie hoping for green light ahead of Lazio clash