COVID’S GIVEN US A SPORTING CHANCE
RYAN EDMONDSON is adamant Aberdeen can pull off a Europa League shock and floor Covid-19 stricken Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese giants would normally be odds-on favourites but an outbreak has not only decimated their squad but also raised doubts over whether or not the game in the Jose Alvalade Stadium will even go ahead on Thursday.
Dons looked off colour as they lost to Motherwell but on-loan Leeds ace Edmondson believes it was only a blip and his team can get back to the form that had seen them win six matches in a row.
He said: “We will look at the mistakes. Thursday is a massive night for all of us.
“Hopefully, we can put Sunday behind us with a new mindset and new game. We will go to Lisbon and do what we do. We will take the game to them and compete all over the pitch.
“There is all the Covid stuff going on and they’ll have a lot of boys missing.
Hopefully we can capitalise on because it’ll be a massive hindrance to their squad.
“Hopefully, we can get a couple of goals and come away with a win.”
The young striker made his comeback from injury as a second- half sub against Motherwell.
He is hoping to be let loose against Sporting and admitted it would be the biggest game of his career.
The Englishman has insisted it wouldn’t faze him and is confident he would give the Dons a cutting edge in Portugal.
Edmondson said: “I’m still young and I’ve had a lot of different experiences. Sporting away in the
Europa League qualifiers is a very big game, especially for a 19-year-old lad. I will embrace that, take it in.
“It won’t hinder my performance because I seem to thrive through pressure. It is a massive game but I am sure I can deal with it if the gaffer puts me in to play.”
The teenager suffered an ankle injury in training after his first appearance against Rangers and it looked like he’d be out until January, when his current loan is set to end.
But Edmondson made quicker than expected progress and wants to make up for lost time.
He said: “After the Rangers game I felt really good. I felt my performance against was a good start but then I picked up the injury.
“I went down to Leeds for my rehab. I said to them I don’t care how long I’m in here but I want everything smashed out, so I get back.
“I was doing six or seven hour days in rehab. I was lucky to get back fit, injuryfree and hopefully I can remain like that.”