Dante wants to be trusted on regular basis

ABERDEEN midfielder Dante Polvara reckons he is trusted to be a big game player but wants to start every match.

American Polvara has been trusted to start key European group games this season such as Eintracht Frankfurt and PAOK.

He rose to the challenge by delivering goals against German giants Frankfurt and eventual group winners PAOK of Greece.

Polvara was also given the nod to start the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic and played a key-role in the Hampden thriller.

However the 23-yearold wants to start every game with new manager Jimmy Thelin who is set to start at Pittodrie on June 3.

Polvara said: “I guess it says something if managers pick me for the big games.

“Maybe they need a scapegoat if things go wrong!,” he laughed.

“Seriously, though, it means they trust me.

“And I’m grateful for the opportunities because those are the games you remember.

“It has been a very choppy season for me, it’s been quite streaky but I feel I have progressed.

“I want to play more and more because, in reality you’re only going to get better by playing matches.

“When I have been playing I feel I have come a long way from the start, especially with my confidence.

“It has become a bit of a running joke, to be honest.

“I remember when we played PAOK at home, the next European fixture was the away leg. I joked with the coaching staff they probably wouldn’t need me until then so I’d just see them in Greece!”

New York-born Polvara was signed from Georgetown University in January 2022, the midfielder struggled to make an impact under Jim Goodwin and Stephen Glass. In March 2023 Barry Robson sent him on a five-month loan at Charleston Battery in the USL Championship.

Soon after his return the midfielder signed an extended contract until summer 2026.