It’s clear lad has Leighton talent
Jim hails Dons new boy as he dazzles in Buddies rout
Jim Goodwin insists the sky’s the limit for Leighton Clarkson after watching his new signing write his name up in lights as Aberdeen dismantled 10-man St Mirren.
The Dons boss snapped up the 20-yearold Liverpool midfielder when he pushed through a loan deal hours before kick-off.
He then threw Clarkson into action as a 12th-minute substitute for the injured Hayden Coulson.
And after a double for Bojan Miovski, Clarkson added a third with a wonder strike before Luis Lopes capped the win, despite Jonah Ayunga’s consolation penalty for Saints, who had Declan Gallagher sent off.
But it was Clarkson who caught Goodwin’s eye and the Dons boss said: “If he has ambitions to go and play for the Liverpool first team then he’s got to come here, play and excel.
“It was a really quick turnaround from Leighton. It was only about half 11 this morning that we got the clearance.
“We would have liked him to have come into the game in different circumstances and we’re disappointed for Hayden, who took a nasty one.
“But Leighton was excellent. People will talk about the goal but he is really confident on the ball and suits the way we want to play. Him and Ylber Ramadani complemented each other.”
Former Don Gallagher was booked for a crude 12th-minute lunge on Coulson which ended the midfielder’s day but saw Clarkson introduced.
The Anfield kid’s first contribution was to crack a shot just past.
Clarkson and Ramadani were proving a potent midfield pairing but the Dons were almost caught out on 23 minutes.
Kelle Roos parried Curtis Main’s low cross away from Keanu Baccus and Liam Scales cleared just as Ayunga was about to pull the trigger.
The game turned when Vincent Besuijen’s shot smacked against the bar and Scales’ fol low- up was handled by Gallagher to earn a second booking.
He walked and Miovski slammed home the penalty.
Scales then nodded an effort wide as the Dons looked to make the most of their man advantage. They did just that when Buddies keeper Trevor Carson failed to gather a low Jonny Hayes cross and Miovski slid in to force the ball home. Carson then bravely blocked at Miovski’s feet before, on the stroke of half-time, Clarkson drilled a 25-yarder high past the keeper.
As debuts go, the youngster was making a massive impression.
A bit of light arrived for Saints after the restart as Hayes was punished for a foul on Greg Kiltie and Ayunga scored from the spot. Carson superbly saved from Besuijen then denied Miovski from claiming his hat - t r i ck . A hug e l y impressive afternoon for the Dons ended with a clipped f inish by Lopes as they showed little sign of the self-doubt of last season.