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Dons goal-scoring ace Hedges targeting a Welsh call-up for Euros and World Cup
RYAN HEDGES is eyeing dream dates at this summer’s Euros and making a bid for World Cup 2022.
The Aberdeen star has his sights set on breaking back into the Wales team as he builds his profile at Pittodrie.
Hedges has eight goals this term having scored again in the weekend win at Kilmarnock.
The 25-year-old might be behind the tally he’d privately set for himself at this stage but his ambitions remain high.
And he has been encouraged to add to his three senior Welsh caps by his club manager.
Derek McInnes helped Simon Church cement a place in Chris Coleman’s successful Welsh squad during his loan spell in the Granite City and Hedges hopes he can follow suit whilst assisting the Reds.
FA chiefs haven’t been on the phone yet but the Aberdeen attacker said: “Hopefully with the World Cup qualifiers coming in March, that would be something I really want to aim for. There’s also the Euros at the end of this season.
“I just need to keep my head down and keep working, helping Aberdeen. Then we can see what happens come March and the summer.
“When I signed, the manager said it to me (about Simon Church). I said it was my inspiration to get into the Euros squad and he said there was no better place to be than Aberdeen. So I’m here.”
Hedges is doing the business for his boss but he wants to do more.
The former Swansea and Barnsley star followed McInnes’ shoot-on-sight instructions at Rugby Park to open the scoring in the 2-0 win and wants to keep contributing.
Hedges’ gaffer has spoken about getting his numbers up and the forward said: “I’m not ahead of where I wanted to be in terms of goals at this stage. If anything, I’m behind.
“As a front player, you are looking for as many as you can. As long as I’m contributing, that’s the main thing.
“Every player, before a season, will want to do really well and little goals and targets can help you along the way. You can see where you are and see how you are progressing.
“He (McInnes) spoke to us at half-time at Kilmarnock.
“I had an opportunity in the first half when I should have shot and the gaffer said that if you don’t shoot, you don’t score. That was at the forefront of my thinking when I picked up the ball.
“I started driving and, luckily, it went in.”
Sam Cosgrove also got in on the act with a second strike since returning from long-term injury and the attacking aspect of this Dons side looks strong.
McInnes does have defensive issues at the moment with Mikey Devlin, Greg Leigh and now Tommie Hoban out.
But Hedges said: “We’ve got a bundle of talent in the squad, especially the frontmen.
“Anyone can go into the side and play and wouldn’t really notice much of a difference.
“So you have to do as much as you can when you get the opportunity to try to keep yourself in the team.
“It doesn’t really matter who scores, I suppose, as long as we get the goal.
“You can see when anyone scores, there’s no cliques in this squad. The group is very together and we are all friends
CHURCH OF HOPE McInnes, top, hopes Ryan can follow path of Simon outside of the pitch as well. There had been a few tough games for him (Cosgrove) with little service.
“So it was nice to see him getting back on the scoresheet and hopefully he carries on.
“We missed him through injury but the likes of Marley Watkins and Curtis Main have come in and filled big shoes when Sam was out.
“The numbers he managed last season were very high and it has been apparent that others have to chip in.
“Fergie (Lewis Ferguson) has eight or nine. That’s a good amount. Jonny ( Hayes) is chipping in, Rosco ( Ross McCrorie) as well. There are goals coming from various areas of the park.
“The strength of the squad is really good and that’s what it’s there for. When Cossy (Sam Cosgrove) was out, Marley and Curtis stepped in.
“Injuries are part of football and, when they happen, it’s up to the next guy in line to step in and do the job.”