RYAN CHRISTIE insists that Aberdeen were the only Scottish club that could have tempted him to leave Celtic after sealing a loan switch to the Dons on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old has joined the Pittodrie club on a temporary deal until the end of the season and revealed that the opportunity to get more game time was integral to his decision, having made only five league appearances for the Hoops this season.

Christie signed a four-year deal with the Parkhead club in the summer of 2015 but now faces his second loan spell in two seasons, having returned to Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the first half of the 2015/16 campaign.

However, the midfielder underlined that he is looking forward to a spell in the north east after receiving reassurances from Dons manager Derek McInnes.

He told Red TV: "As soon I was given the all clear I could not wait to get up here. I am very happy to be here.

"I first knew about the interest from Aberdeen at the weekend and it was confirmed yesterday. But in terms of getting everything done, it was just today. I was very interested as soon as I heard about the interest so to get it all done so quickly is brilliant.

"Things can happen very quickly in football, particularly during the window.

"When deciding to come here there were a lot of positives.

"Aberdeen was the only other team in Scotland I would have joined. The improvement they have made as a club over the past couple of seasons has been incredible. I am joining a club that is on the up.

"One of the main factors in the loan is to play more football. I think most players who go out on loan do it to try and get more game time. Hopefully I get more game time here.

"I have spoken to the Aberdeen manager quite a few times on the phone. I really enjoyed speaking to him, just to get his view on how the move will go. He kind of reassured me on a few things. He has been brilliant with me.

"I have played with quite a few of the boys before as we were at Inverness together. I know a few of the boys from the Scotland set up as well.

"It can only be another positive that I knew so many of the players and it will help me settle in quickly.

"As I say Aberdeen is a club on the up and you can see that with the squad of players they have got. I am delighted to be part of that squad.

"For an outsider looking in, everyone sees what is happening at Aberdeen at the moment. There is a good support at Pittodrie and a great travelling support as well. From that side of things, it is a brilliant club."