MIDFIELDER Ryan Christie believes Cherries had the last laugh over critics who predicted the side to finish rock bottom of the Premier League.

Promoted from the Championship last term, many pundits and fans of other clubs assumed Cherries would struggle with the step up to the top flight.

This belief was strengthened when Cherries boss Scott Parker made repeated mentions that the playing squad at Vitality Stadium was underequipped, comments that eventually led to his dismissal in August.

Although it has not been completely plain sailing since Gary O’Neil took over as head coach, Cherries did manage to effectively seal their spot in next season’s Premier League with four games remaining.

As quoted by the Daily Record, Christie shared: “The big one was staying up.

“Everybody was writing us off at the start of the season – we were 100 per cent the team going down. It’s nice to have the last laugh on those critics. All the boys were buzzing.

“If anyone had said we were going to be safe in the Premier League with four or five games to go, we’d have bitten your hand off.

“It was nice and relaxing going into the last few games. We didn’t have that pressure of trying to win to stay in the league.

“It was good, it was done and dusted and we can look forward to the Premier League again next year, playing in amazing grounds at Manchester United, Liverpool and City.

“I have a lot of good memories and hopefully we can make a few more.”

Last campaign was Christie’s first taste of the English top-flight, the Scot having joined Cherries in August 2021 ahead of their promotion season from the Championship.

Despite playing in the Champions League with Scottish giants Celtic, the 28-year-old admitted that the intensity of Premier League football took some time to adjust to.

Although not an automatic starter, Christie played in 32 of Cherries’ 38 league fixtures in the 2022-23 season.

“I’ve loved it but it was tough at the start,” the Scot continued.

"It took me a month to six weeks to get used to the games and how quick a tempo it is. But I’m up to speed with it and the other aspects.”

Christie is currently away with the Scottish national side, ahead of two European Championship qualifiers.

The Scots visit Norway on Saturday, June 17, before returning home to host Georgia on Tuesday, June 20.

Scotland currently boast a 100 per cent record after two games, with wins over Cyprus and Spain to kickstart their qualifying campaign.