Hedges is no stranger to Dons’ rich history
AROUND each and every corner at Pittodrie are reminders of Aberdeen’s glorious European past.
From pictures of the Dons on their way to European Cup Winners’ Cup glory in 1983 to a framed quote from the legendary Real Madrid manager, Alfredo Di Stefano, after his side had succumbed to the Gothenburg Greats in the final.
‘Aberdeen have what money can’t buy; a soul, a team spirit built in a family tradition,’ reads the comment from Di Stefano immortalised in the Pittodrie tunnel.
Ryan Hedges may have been born 12 years after the last Scottish team won a European trophy, but the 24-year-old did not require any history lessons when he pitched up at Pittodrie this summer.
A Manchester United fanatic, the Wales international winger grew up hearing tales of Sir Alex Ferguson’s fantastical exploits in the Granite City.
Now he is desperate to help pen the next chapter in Aberdeen’s book of European adventures.
‘I was well aware of Aberdeen’s rich history in Europe,’ said former Barnsley winger Hedges.
‘I know all about the Fergie era at Pittodrie. My dad was a big United fan and he drilled Manchester United and Fergie into me. It’s all I knew, really, when I was growing up.
‘I also knew all about the games against Bayern Munich (in 2008) in the Europa League.
‘There’s pictures all around and there’s the quote from Di Stefano on the wall as you go out.
‘A European run is something we would all like to replicate this season.’
Aberdeen hold the slight advantage ahead of tonight’s home second leg against Chikhura Sachkhere.
Sam Cosgrove scored an away goal with a penalty in Georgia after Vazha Koripadze had opened the scoring from the spot.
But Derek McInnes’ side had found themselves unsettled after a first-half injury to defender Ash Taylor sprung a series of personnel changes that saw Hedges playing at left-back for the first time in his senior career.
But he expects Aberdeen to be more settled and stronger tonight as they aim to secure a tie against Rijeka in the third round.
‘It was a strange one, playing at left-back,’ he said. ‘I’ve not played there before in my career but, if the gaffer asks me to do a job, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.
‘I do think the changes knocked us out of our stride over there after we had dominated the first 15 minutes.
‘But we were more stable in the second half and we got the away goal.
‘If we beat Chikhura, can we get past Rijeka? Yes, definitely. We have players who have been away to Rijeka and won in this competition before and there’s no reason we can’t replicate that.’
Hedges believes Aberdeen’s hopes of reaching the play-off round under McInnes for the first time are strengthened by the signings of midfielders Craig Bryson and Funso Ojo.
‘Bryson is a great, experienced pro who has been there and done it for years with Derby,’ he said.
‘I also came up against Ojo down south. You could see his quality.’