Aberdeen midfielder Ryan Christie hopes he has done enough to convince manager Derek McInnes he deserves to start in this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibernian.
The on-loan Celtic player netted a fine opener in Saturday’s 2-1 victory against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park that confirmed European football for the Dons next season.
Christie started the match in place of Niall McGinn, who missed out with a groin injury and is now a doubt for the Hampden match against Scottish Cup holders Hibs.
The 22-year-old hopes his performance against the Perth Saints has given manager McInnes food for thought.
Christie, who won the Scottish Cup with Caley Thistle in 2015, said: “It would be amazing to get to another final.
“Lifting the Scottish Cup with Inverness is by far the biggest highlight of my career so far. To do it again with Aberdeen would be amazing.
“I’ve played at Hampden twice in my career and won twice and I hope I have put a marker down with my goal.
“The manager said before the game that a big motivation would be to try to book our places in the semi-final team. We will have to wait and see how the manager plays it.
“It’s a brilliant game that we are all looking forward to. Everyone wants to play at Hampden. Hibs are a very good team and have just won the Championship. Everyone would agree they don’t belong in the Championship and it will be good to see them back in the Premiership next season.”
Should Aberdeen defeat Hibs on Saturday, Christie would be ineligible for the final if his parent club Celtic beat Rangers in the other semi-final.
But the midfielder is trying not to dwell on that prospect and added: “I will wait and see how the other semi-final pans out but we have Hibs and we are desperate to get hold of the Scottish Cup. That starts against Hibs next week.
“Everyone has been asking me about a possible Celtic against Aberdeen final but it’s pointless speaking about it before we face Hibs. It’s a big game and everyone is looking forward to it.
“It was good to get a start against St Johnstone and to get a goal.
“When I get my chance I want to impress, so I was happy with the first half. We came off it a bit in the second half and let them back into it with the penalty.
“It was a poor touch by me, which I hold my hands up to. But from that point onwards we showed a different side to us against a very good St Johnstone.”