Cristiano Ronaldo should be Real Madrid's centre forward after his Madrid derby performance, says Terry Gibson.

The Portugal international netted a hat-trick on Saturday as Los Blancos took all three points against their local rivals Atletico on the final occasion the fixture will take place at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Normally deployed on the left wing, Sky Sports Spanish football expert Gibson believes he can flourish in a new position and believes the weekend's clash was his best of the campaign.

"This was clearly Real Madrid's best game of the season and, by a mile, Ronaldo's best game of the season. And his best game for a while in a Real Madrid shirt in a big game," he told the La Liga Weekly podcast.

Highlights of the Madrid derby between Atletico and Real Highlights of the Madrid derby between Atletico and Real

"The fact Zinedine Zidane played him in the centre forward position makes Real Madrid look better and I think that's Ronaldo's position now.

"It gives a better framework to the rest of the team. Ronaldo can just do his own thing as the centre forward instead of being on the left and being required to do some tracking back.

"I think the left side of Real Madrid defensively is a weakness because Ronaldo at times isn't there and because Marcelo at times isn't there.

"Playing as he does, he kept it nice and simple around the halfway line, his runs need to be sharper and shorter which he showed at the weekend.

"He's great in the air, the header that almost crossed the line was fantastic. His movement, he can hold the ball up and he's got everything to be a centre forward.

"He gets onto the end of things in the box and there isn't a better finisher in the game. I think now at this time in his career, he should be the centre forward for Real Madrid. I think we've been saying that for a while now."

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!