BOSS Andoni Iraola was thrilled to see “very coachable” Ryan Christie commit his long-term future to Cherries, insisting he is “someone I can only say good things about”.

Christie last week penned a new deal until the summer of 2027.

The 28-year-old backed that up a few days later with a superb performance in Cherries’ 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

Discussing the Scotland international’s new deal, Iraola said: “I’m happy, because I think he is someone that deserves it.

“I think he is a very good player, very coachable. He understands what the team needs in every situation. As with the others, he has things to improve.

“We ask him to do more in the last third, to shoot more, to finish more things. He knows this.

“He is the first one who wants to make the numbers offensively also.

“But it is someone I can only say good things about, because he is helping the teammates especially. That, I think, is the most important thing.

“Whenever this news happens and in this case with Ryan, I am happy because I think it is good for the team, good for him and good for everyone.”

Since joining Cherries from Celtic in August 2021, Christie has netted just six goals in 90 appearances.

The midfielder has been a key part of Iraola’s pressing style, but his only goal under the Spaniard so far was in the EFL Cup.

Asked about Christie’s lack of goals, Iraola said: “I think it’s something he knows.

“We ask him to do a lot of things. He scored a goal against Swansea in the cup, he hasn’t scored in the league.

“He is arriving in good spots, but he hasn’t been able to score.

“We appreciate a lot of the things he does, that is the reason he is playing most of the games.

“I think he is someone very coachable and he gives us a lot of things.

“If he can provide us the finish at the end, it will be much, much better.”

Bournemouth Echo: Ryan Christie has signed a new contract at CherriesChristie was utilised in a deeper midfield role against Newcastle, leading to Iraola admitting they may be asking too much at times of the Highlander.

“Ryan is very valuable for us,” said Iraola, after the win.

“Sometimes when he plays more in the second striker number 10 position, we ask him for more finishing.

“But he gives us so many things on and off the ball that sometimes we are not fair.

“We say you have to do this and then you have to recover and you have to press and then you have to play and then you have to score the goals.

“It is true that the competition is like this. The Premier League asks you to be very complete.

“You have to have a lot of things.

“But I think he is someone that is, for the teammates and for everyone, very valuable.”

Christie will tomorrow hope to earn his 41st Scotland cap, away to Georgia (5pm).