INKED on the left arm of Ryan Christie is a phrase in Latin which reads: “Every man is the architect of his own fortune.”

In contrast, the Cherries winger also has a random bunch of bananas tattooed on his leg, as well as a Lego man among other various images.

The 26-year-old, who has taken requests from his teammates over new tattoo ideas, could at least be set to add one more special drawing onto his body towards the end of this season.

Asked how many tattoos he actually had, when speaking to the Daily Echo, Christie said: “I’ve no idea! I’m not going to count but there is a lot more hidden. A lot is just nonsense!

“It started off with there being reason behind them and then my want for tattoos quickly outgrew that. It’s just a bit of the weird and the wonderful from now on.

“I have told the boys already, any suggestions let me know and I’ll add them to the list.

“That (the Latin quote) was the first one. That is the only one that has semi-got a good reason behind it. My dad loves his Roman history and that kind of stuff, so he helped me pick that one out for my first tattoo. That’s a Latin quote and, there, I’ve got a bunch of bananas on my thigh! So there’s two different ends of the scale there.”

It was at that moment, in a sit-down interview in one of the boxes at Vitality Stadium, where Christie made his vow to the Daily Echo and assembled media.

“I have already promised a lot of people that there will be a set of Cherries on me somewhere, if we get promoted,” he said.

“I’ve not decided where – maybe on my heart!”

Christie has of course already shown his creative side and love for his new club in the second-tier of English football this season, having signed from Celtic on transfer deadline day.

On the field, while still waiting for his first goal, he has registered six assists from 13 Championship games.

And he insists his new teammates have made him settle into his fresh surroundings seamlessly in and around the area.

“It’s good. I am loving it,” said the Inverness-born star.

“Obviously I have made a few comments about the weather, that’s a nice touch!

“I feel now I have properly settled in and got my whereabouts. The boys have been brilliant with that in terms of getting me out and about and showing me different places.

“It’s a nice, relaxed way of life which I think suits me and my girlfriend down to the ground. I’ve had the family down a couple of times as well and they love it too, which is nice.”

Christie is set to head to Millwall with Scott Parker’s side tomorrow, looking to bounce back from Sunday’s disappointing 3-2 defeat to Derby County.

Reflecting on the weekend’s reverse, he added: “That’s kind of football. I’ve played enough games to realise the highs and lows of it. You can’t get too high when you win or low when you lose.
 

"Obviously Sunday was frustrating, especially the way the game went. Coming out in the second half we were just looking to put the game to bed and the opposite thing happened.

“It shows the quality between the top and the bottom, there’s not a huge difference – again something very different to Scottish football. All these experiences I am learning from.

“The nice thing about the relentlessness of this league is we have a game tomorrow and we have a chance to put some of it right.”

Victory could send Cherries back to the top of the Championship, as well as taking playmaker Christie one step closer to some more fresh ink.