RYAN Christie has been “unfortunate” not to be playing as frequently according to his head coach Gary O’Neil.

The Scot came off the bench at the weekend as he helped Cherries over the line against Liverpool, playing the final 20 minutes of the 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium.

A regular starter for much of the campaign, the 28-year-old has had his playing time limited since the closure of the January transfer window.

The arrivals of Antoine Semenyo, Hamed Traore, and Dango Ouattara, all players who can operate in a similar position to the Scottish international, have seen Christie restricted to the bench in Cherries’ last six games.

In that time Christie has made three appearances, playing just under an hour of football (57 minutes).

When goalscorer Philip Billing tired at the weekend, Christie was introduced to great effect, the Scot able to calm play down and add much-needed composure to Cherries’ midfield.

Speaking about the former Celtic man, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Phil was struggling a little bit (on Friday) with something, so Ryan Christie knew the role as well, knew tactically what was going to be expected of him.

“Ryan's been unfortunate really in the last few, and he knows this as well, to play as little as he has.

“Because his training effort and his performances when he does come on have been of a very good level, the same as (against Liverpool).

“So we're getting stronger. There's people coming back. Jeff back today. Lloyd back today. Makes a big difference to us.”

With new arrivals in January combining with the return of players from injury, Cherries’ bench looks far stronger than it has in recent months.

O’Neil concurred, continuing: “If we'd have been short numbers wise, and Liverpool had made four subs to freshen things up, and we'd have been sat there with three of the young lads on the bench, it makes it very, very difficult.

“You're relying on people that look like they're tired.

“So Philip Billing, Jefferson, Jaidon Anthony had put a lot in, and the ability to freshen them up without weakening the team is huge.

“I felt that really helped us (against Liverpool).”