Anderson puts his case with treble in friendly

Aberdeen need to score at least one against Burnley on Thursday night if they’re to progress in the Europa League, so the performance of teenager Bruce Anderson in yesterday’s friendly at Arbroath will have pleased manager Derek Mcinnes.

Anderson, 19, was an unused substitute against the English Premier League side in last week’s first-leg draw at Pittodrie and is still waiting to make a competitive debut for the Dons’ first team.

But after a hat-trick at gusty Gayfield yesterday, he’s certainly knocking on the door as an alternative to Sam Cosgrove and Stevie May. “Good to win 3-0 and get a hat-trick today!!” Anderson, pictured, tweeted afterwards. “Ready for the season!!!”

New goalkeeper Tomas Cerny made his first appearance for a young Aberdeen side, while Dean Campbell, who was also on the bench against Burnley, started alongside trialists Kristian Nowak and Morgan Brown.

Anderson’s first goal came from the penalty spot, stroking the ball high into the net on 20 minutes after Campbell had been upended inside the box.

He doubled the visitors’ lead around 15 minutes later when David Dangana raced clear on the right and squared for a closerange finish. The third came just after the break when Anderson netted a rebound after Chris Antoniazzi had a shot blocked.

There was a bizarre footnote for Cerny on his debut – with the Dons 3-0 up in the friendly, he was booked by referee Alan Freelands for delaying at a goal-kick. ● Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder in the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen and will see a specialist today, club manager Sean Dyche has said.