AHEAD of tomorrow's (Sunday) visit to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, Ryan Christie’s goal tally sits at 18 for the season so far. Odsonne Edouard’s, on the other hand, sits at 24, while James Forrest’s rests at 16. All three will be keen to add more to their totals at Pittodrie this weekend, but Christie said there is no internal competition between the Hoops’ front runners.

Instead, the 24-year-old stressed delight in seeing his colleagues hit the mark, which he hopes continues from now until the end of the season.

Christie missed the last trip up north through suspension – when first half goals from Odsonne Edouard, Jeremie Frimpong, James Forrest and Mohamed Elyounoussi killed the game before the break – therefore he is doubly keen to get among the goals this time around.

He said: “We don’t really have any internal competition between us. Odsonne is the man that always finds the back of the net, and I won’t be surprised if he ends up top goalscorer this season. And I hope he does! He definitely deserves it.

“Jamesy likewise, and he’s got an incredible ability to chip in with top performances and goals and assists over the course of the season.

"We’re basically all working together trying to get as many goals and assists as we can. I hadn’t scored for a while before Hearts, so I want to be on the scoresheet as much as I can from here on.”

Scott Brown’s strike against Clyde last Sunday marked his fifth of the season, wherein he fought for the ball inside the six-yard box to poke it over the line. Christie hailed the captain’s penchant for scoring important goals, while also poking fun at the nature of his effort at Broadwood.

He added: “I don’t think he knew where the ball was – it was just a case of sticking a leg out and it went in. No, it’s nice to see him score, and he clearly enjoys scoring in the Scottish Cup.

“He’s scored quite a few now, that’s him on five. When you consider his position, he does really well on that front and he scores important goals as well – that one against Hamilton at home earlier this season, and, of course, the Kilmarnock goal at Rugby Park last season.”

Ryan Christie: We’re all delighted to chip in with the goals