Cristian rubbing shoulders with the stars

Cristian Montano’s goal celebration

CRISTIAN Montano will be up against some illustrious company as he seeks to claim the crown of ‘Goal of the Year’ at the North-West Football Awards next month.

Athletic’s winger has been nominated for his brilliant length-of-field effort at Stevenage on the opening day of this season, which helped his team to a 4-3 victory at the Lamex Stadium. He is pictured celebrating his wonder goal.

Burnley’s Danny Ings is the other contender for the prize from the Football League.

From the Premier League, Montano is up against Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Robin van Persie of Manchester United, Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and Everton’s Leighton Baines.

All six contenders will be hoping their goal is the winner at the annual awards night at Lancashire Cricket Club on NBovember 4.

Guests will be asked to vote for their favourite strike with the winning goal announced on the night by the BBC’s Football Focus presenter, Dan Walker.