Connor Barron insists he's laser-focused on restoring Aberdeen as Scotland's third force - because he knows his future will then take care of itself.
The Dons' newest rising star bagged his first goal for the club last weekend - netting the opener in defeat against Rangers - but is now determined to take all three points and propel Aberdeen above Hibs in the Premiership table. The Pittodrie club have tabled a fresh contract offer for the highly-rated 20-year-old - his current deal expires at the end of 2024 - but all that's on his mind for the moment is helping Jim Goodwin 's side re-establish themselves at the very top end of Scottish football.
Barron, who is one of the best young talents in the Scottish game and has just signed a deal with Adidas, stated: “I am just back from injury and it has been a long time out. “I am just getting my match sharpness back up. I am just focussing on football and whatever happens from that side will happen. I am just fully focused on helping the team out and keeping my performances up. I am just new into the team in January last year. I just want to get as many games under my belt and keep my performances up. I just want to help the team and get another good run going after losing on Saturday.”
Aberdeen take on Hibs, Livingston and Dundee United before the World Cup and Barron knows the importance of taking third place by then. Two of those games are at home and Pittodrie has become something of a fortress for the Reds. He stated: “We have three massive games to concentrate on before the break. “We need to pick up as many points as we can against tough opposition, who we won’t underestimate but we need to try and get as many points as we can from those games.
“Our home form has been very good. “On the road, we need to be a little bit better. “That will come because we are quite a new squad and we are still getting used to things. “We can’t use that as an excuse because we have enough experienced boys out there where we need to go and make our away form better. “The home fans have been brilliant and long may that continue.”
Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin stirred up a hornet’s nest after Hibs and Aberdeen clashed at Easter Road back in September, when he accused Ryan Porteous of cheating to win a penalty and get Liam Scales sent off. Goodwin doesn’t think that will add any spice to this evening’s proceedings.
He claimed: “I don’t think so. I am more focused on Aberdeen and my players so what the Hibs reaction is to what I said doesn’t really bother me, to be honest with you.
“I’m just really looking forward to the game. I love playing night football. I think the fans will be excited for it as well. Playing on a Friday night frees up everyone’s weekend and after a hard weeks’ work it is good to leave the office and go and support your team.
“It is an exciting fixture for everybody so I’m pretty sure Hibs will bring a good traveling support and I would imagine that the atmosphere will be great and I doubt any outside influence, whether that’s me or anyone else, will have too much of an impact on what goes on inside the lines.”
The Aberdeen manager also spoke of his relief after his touchline ban for his comments about Porteous was reduced to three games on appeal during the week.
Goodwin, who will watch from the stand this evening, added: “Obviously, I am very pleased with the overall outcome - the fact I am not going to miss as many games as I initially feared. “I have already served one and I have two to go and so I’ll be in the stand for the Hibs and Livingston games.”
Aberdeen will give a late fitness test to Jonny Hayes.
