Ryan can use Dons as a path to the EPL

EUROPA LEAGUE hopeful Ryan Hedges aims to follow in James Maddison and Danny Ward’s footsteps by using Aberdeen as a springboard into the big time.

The Welsh international is in line to make his competitive debut for the Dons in tomorrow night’s Europa League qualifying first-leg clash against RoPS at Pittodrie.

European football was a big thing in convincing Hedges to quit Barnsley for the Granite City.

And he has also seen what the move did for his Welsh team-mate Ward and England star Maddison, who has also BY SCOTT BURNS joined the keeper in earning a big-money move to Leicester.

Hedges said: “I am close to Danny and he said Aberdeen excelled his career.

“You can also look at the likes of James Maddison who has also gone on to play in the Premier League.

“That is something that one day I would also like to do. I am an Aberdeen player just now and I will give this club my all as long as I am here.”

McInnes has done major surgery on his squad this summer.

He has brought in Craig Bryson, Curtis Main, Greg Leigh, Jon Gallagher and Hedges, who could all make their debut tomorrow while Ash Taylor, who has returned for a second spell, could also pull on a red shirt again.

Hedges said: “The Europa League will be a new experience and it was a major factor in me coming here.

“You want to play in European competition and at the highest level – it is something that will boost my CV.

“It is a huge game and it will be the first fixture for all the new players at Pittodrie. It should be a great occasion and we won’t take them lightly.”