LEIGHTON LET LOOSE
Clarkson loves Leven’s shoot-on-sight rules
LEIGHTON CLARKSON reckons Peter Leven has given Aberdeen a licence to thrill – and himself an order to shoot on sight.
The interim manager watched his side make it seven games unbeaten in the Premiership with a 4-0 demolition of Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday.
Clarkson’s clinical execution from 25 yards started the rout that moves the Dons up to seventh spot.
And the former Liverpool youngster admits the late run of form is all down to the freedom Leven has given his players.
Clarkson said: “Pete has been telling me to shoot a lot more.
“I scored some good goals last year and this year it has just not quite clicked. I don’t shoot enough. He told me that before the game and I had an opportunity then put it away.
“Pete has done a brilliant job. It’s so hard to come in after the other managers, it’s probably the worst time to try to pick the lads up. But he has given us that platform to go and express ourselves.
“We have really good players in this squad and we showed it against Hibs.
“Pete has given me the licence to go and express myself. There have been times this season where it’s been a bit restrictive. He has completely given the confidence back into me.
“We’re on a good run of form and the best we can give the fans is a bit of joy and excitement going into the new season.
“We still have two games remaining and we want to win both to finish on a high.”
Leven has steadied the ship after the departures of Barry
Robson and Neil Warnock this season and has lost only one of nine league games in charge.
But he will revert to first-team coach when new boss Jimmy Thelin arrives in the summer.
And Clarkson added: “It’s really important Peter will be here next season under the new manager.
“He has done so much for the boys and is always the last one still on the training pitch. Even at the start of the season when he wasn’t manager he was always doing extra work with the boys and trying to develop players.
“He’s big on that and has put his stamp on the game and how he wants to play.
“Peter always helped me with free-kicks and things like that.
“He gives his time into making us better players. We are doing it for him”