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This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Former Celtic star Kris Commons wrote in The Sunday Mail (04/08/2019), as reported by Football Scotland, that he thinks Ryan Christie is "arguably the best player in Scottish football" right now.

What's he said?

Christie is having the start to a season that most can only dream of. In his five appearances so far, the mercurial talent has a staggering six goals and three assists after his stunning hat-trick against St. Johnstone in the Celts' Premiership opener.

Contributing to an incredible nine goals in just 327 minutes on the pitch means he has played a part in a goal every 36 minutes so far this season.

It's only early August but pundits are already tripping over themselves to heap praise on the former Inverness kid. Commons becomes the latest to eulogise about the 24-year-old after his goal-laden performance in the 7-0 win over the Saints.

The former Hoops hero stated: "He's arguably the best player in Scottish football. There's no doubt that his performances now demand that he is one of the first - if not the first - name on Neil Lennon's team-sheet."

Jumped the gun

Christie has certainly wasted no time in staking his claim for Player of the Year, but we can't help but feel Commons has jumped the gun somewhat.

On current form, there's few better on the entire British isle let alone just Scotland, but it's important to have a look at who the performances have come against.

Nomme Kalju were hopeless at Parkhead in their 5-0 obliteration. Sarajevo were better but 5-2 on aggregate was hardly a surprising scoreline. As for St. Johnstone, it's no exaggeration to say they're a mess - even Montrose and Forfar beat them in the League Cup group stages this season.

It also needs to be remembered just how good some of his teammates are too. Callum McGregor and James Forrest haven't been so obviously good this season but are vital cogs to the way the club plays, allowing for their side's and Christie's fantastic early start to the campaign.

But while it might be a little soon to be calling him the best player in the Premiership or the first name on the team-sheet, Christie is certainly on the right tracks to remove any doubt from Commons' statement come May.

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