Besuijen welcomes fresh start
Dutch playmaker makes most of new opportunity
VICENTE BESUIJEN insists the new season feels like a fresh start at Aberdeen after a tricky introduction to Scottish football.
The Colombian-born Netherlands youth international was thrust into the Pittodrie set-up back in January after signing for then boss Stephen Glass in a transfer move from ADO Den Haag.
Besuijen was thrown into the Aberdeen side with the club in a perilous position dangling just above the relegation play-offs. But fast-forwad to now, and the side couldn’t look more different either through personnel or performance.
Nine goals for and zero against in the opening three Premier Sports Cup groupstage fixtures tells its own story – albeit against lowerleague opposition. But it’s understandable that Besuijen and his team-mates are already hoisting ambitions well above last year’s struggles with European football a serious target.
“Is it a fresh start for everyone? Yes,” said Besuijen after the 5-0 demolition of Stirling Albion. “I think the fans who back us up feel it too. They are supporting us and that’s what we need.
“We want to repay them after last season. Everyone at the club knows last season wasn’t good enough and we want to get Aberdeen back to where they belong. We have to play good, attractive football and give people a show.
“Aberdeen is one of the biggest clubs in Scotland and that’s who we are.
“Is top six and European football the aim? Of course.
“I came in last January and it was a hard time for everyone. I settled in OK but it is good to be back on winning ways and we have more of the ball now.”
On the difference in spirits around the camp this time round, Besuijen added: “If we have the ball and I can get more on the ball, then everyone heads in the right direction.
“Everyone wants the same things and we are hungry for the season ahead.
“We have a group who are friends as well as team-mates. That has made it easier for the new boys to integrate. We feel more like a family this year.”
Besuijen personally has made an electric start to the season and was inches away from a hat-trick on the trip to Stirling. The playmaker lashed home the opener from close range and found the top corner before half-time for his side’s fifth of the evening – but he couldn’t find a third despite coming desperately close to claiming the match-ball.
“I was unlucky with the shot that hit the post for my hat-trick,” Besuijen admitted. “The team played well and we have won three games in a row which feels good.
“We are getting better every game so we have to be happy with that. We want to win every game and we have a good squad of players. Everyone wants to improve and we are working hard in training and you can see that paying off on the pitch which is what you want.”