Ambitious Ronan Curtis on his mission to overhaul Portsmouth scoring greats Yakubu and Brett Pitman
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The Republic of Ireland international netted his 13th of the season in the Blues’ important 1-0 triumph over Bristol Rovers.
It takes his Blues haul to 39 goals in 139 appearances since arriving from Derry in May 2018.
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Hide AdRemarkably, all but one of Curtis’ 39-goal tally have come from open play – with none arriving from the penalty spot.
And the 25-year-old is desperate to surpass the talented pair presently ahead of him.
Curtis told The News: ‘I am well aware of the record and have another five goals to go. I take it quite seriously.
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Hide Ad‘It would be a great honour for me to achieve that, but it’s not always about me. First and foremost it’s about the team – and every one of us gave 100 per cent mentally and physically to get the result against Bristol Rovers.
‘Yakubu was a great striker who scored a lot of goals in his career, and it would be good to catch up with him.
‘I played here with Brett Pitman he’s a great finisher and scored two against us on Tuesday night.
‘I know I have 43 to beat and have 39 for Pompey at the moment. It would be a great honour for me and my family to look back when I retire and say “I have done it”. That motivates me.
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Hide Ad‘In that total, I haven’t hit a penalty. Obviously there was the one at Wembley in the Papa John’s Trophy final, but during 90 minutes I haven’t taken a pen at this club.
‘There was a free-kick at Lincoln last year, but the rest of them have been from open play.
‘I don’t mind where I score from, I don’t even mind if I score, as long as I make an impact in the team, whether that’s running, pressing or assisting.’
Curtis has netted three times in seven matches to total 13 goals with three League One fixtures remaining.
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Hide AdHe’s rapidly closing in on 16-goal leading scorer John Marquis, who marked his 100th Pompey outing in the Bristol Rovers clash.
And with a contract lasting until the summer of 2023, there is plenty of time yet for Curtis to add to his remarkable tally.
He added: ‘When I first came to this club, I explained what I came here to do – to score and set up goals.
‘If I can’t do that, that’s down to me. But as long as I try my best and give 100 per cent in every game I play, then it will come off.
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Hide Ad‘The big man is up there watching over me – and hopefully I can keep scoring for the team.’
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