Youngster aims to fill striker void left by mentor Rooney

New Aberdeen goal hero Bruce Anderson paid tribute to his mentor, Adam Rooney, after his stunning scoring debut against Rangers and set his sights on becoming the Pittodrie club’s new first-choice striker.

Anderson’s superbly finished 93rd-minute equaliser on his first-team debut earned him the instant approval of the Aberdeen fans.

The 19-year-old now hopes to emulate Rooney who left Pittodrie this summer to join Salford City, and become a regular scorer for Derek Mcinnes’ side.

“Adam had been mentoring me since I came in to the club,” said Anderson. “He kind of took me under his wing, so when he left I felt I could step up to the bill if you like. Hopefully that can happen.

“Every day in training, Adam would pass on little things and I would try and copy things from his game. I take them and try and put them into mine. We had a really good relationship and sort of bounced off each other when we were working together.

“I was gutted to see him go but then again it is a good opportunity for me to try and step up to the mark. It is the stuff of dreams to score today but it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I am going home to watch the game again so it might do that when I’m looking back on it.

“I’m just over the moon, to be honest. My family were here. They are all Aberdeen fans, so I’m sure they will be proud too.” Aberdeen manager Mcinnes admitted his team had not been at their best but, contrary to opposite number Steven Gerrard, insisted they were worthy of a point.

“For me, it was no more than we deserved,” said Mcinnes. “When you don’t play anywhere near your best, then it’s important you still get something. Late goals have been synonymous with my teams over the years, whether that’s an equaliser or winning goals.” Mcinnes, meanwhile, expects Scott Mckenna, pictured, to stay with the club despite reported interest in him from Swansea City and Celtic. The Scotland defender limped out of yesterday’s game with a hamstring injury which could sideline him for several weeks.

“I think Mckenna is in a good place here and he sees it that way,” said Mcinnes. “I don’t expect him to move any time soon – he’s not moving great anyway right now, because of his hamstring! But I think he will be here with us when the transfer window closes.”