Loan star is after a medal to take home

JAMES MADDISON is determined to return to Norwich City with a League Cup winner’s medal.

The on-loan midfielder was again one of Aberdeen’s top performers as they made it past Morton in yesterday’s semi-final.

He admitted the prospect of winning silverware was a big factor in his decision to join the Dons until January.

The 19-year-old feels he can create memories to last a lifetime during his time at Pittodrie.

He said: “When you go on loan to a club you don’t expect to play in cup finals and win trophies.

“But that’s how players judge their careers, how much silverware they win.

“That’s me in a cup final and I’ve got a chance to get my hands on a trophy.

“Hopefully I can go back to Norwich with a cup winner’s medal.”

“I’d imagine Hampden will be sold out against either Rangers or Celtic, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“It will be my first experience of playing in a final.

“It’s not long since I was with Coventry in League One and it’s very difficult to get anywhere near occasions like this.

“That’s one of the joys of playing for Aberdeen. It was one of the main reasons for me agreeing to come here.

“It was something I thought about when the manager here got in with me about joining the club.

“It was one of the things that persuaded me. We were in a quarter-final before I even arrived.

“I knew if showed everyone what I was about and got myself into the team, there would be a chance I might have a final to play in.”

Aberdeen goal-scorer Adam Rooney hopes they can give the north-east fans a chance to start their festive fun early by winning the League Cup on November 27 – the first time the final has been held in that month since 1998.

He said: “‘It’s good to have a final to look forward to this early in the season.

‘We’re still in the early stages of the league but to get a trophy at any time of the year is a massive achievement.

“Hopefully we can give a nice early Christmas present to the fans.”

The Irishman scored the winner when the Dons beat Inverness Caley Thistle in the 2014 final.

He’d happily do the same against Rangers or Celtic next month.

He went on: “Hopefully it doesn’t need to go penalties this time but if it does we’ll take it.

“The main thing is that we’re in the final and we can look forward to a great day – whoever we face.

“We will take a great support on the day.”