Leighton Clarkson confessed he was "buzzing" after scoring on his Aberdeen debut just hours after signing for the club. The 20-year-old joined from Liverpool on a season-long loan and only received his international clearance at 11am on game day.
Clarkson became the Dons 11th summer signing and was on the bench for the 4-1 win over St Mirren. However an early injury to Hayden Coulson forced boss Jim Goodwin into a rethink with Clarkson replacing his fellow newbie after 12 minutes. And it took him as little as half an hour into his Pittodrie debut to open his account.
He picked the ball up in space and fired past Trevor Carson from about 30-yards out to send the home fans berserk. Clarkson told Red TV: "The goal was probably one of the best hits I've ever done.
"I just seen it come across and obviously I had one in the first half, I sliced it, so I thought this time I'm going to take a touch. But when it sits perfect like that you've just got to hit it and I'm just happy it went in.
"I knew as soon as it left my foot that it was going in. It's just one of them strikes you know about but yeah I was buzzing.
"I signed late last night and managed to get a good hours sleep in to prepare for the game. I obviously didn't know I was going to come on that early but yeah I am buzzing with it.
"I was ready. I knew at some point in the game I was going to come on. Obviously I didn't know it was going to be that early but I was ready for it and just enjoying it."
Clarkson was given sponsors man of the match and strolled through the game against Steven Robinson's men despite having never trained with his team mates.
He added: "Obviously I've come from quite a possession based side in Liverpool and I've been known over the years that passing is my game so he just said 'go out and do your game'. I have not trained with any of the lads. I only met most of them this morning at the pre-match meal so he just said go and put your stamp on the game and I feel like I did.
Asked if it was just a case of remembering names, he responded: "Yeah literally it is like that. I know one or two who you just pick up but that will all come this week I'm sure.
"It was a lot better than I first thought to be fair. I liked the style of play that we play and it's about getting used to the players. What they like and what they do. Whether they come short or run in behind but yeah it was a good first game."
The win takes Aberdeen up to third in the Scottish Premiership and they will hope to build on the victory when they host Motherwell next Saturday.
READ NEXT
