Hoilett targets Copa America call-up as Canadian thrives under Leven

JUNIOR HOILETT has praised the impact of Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven as he challenged the Dons squad to maintain their recent “momentum”.

The 33-year-old is targeting a Copa America call-up with Canada, who are featuring at the tournament for the first time this summer. And he appears on track to earn that after becoming Aberdeen’s star man over the past few weeks.

He provided two pin-point assists during the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat against Celtic and appears to be finding his feet in the north-east at the vital time.

Aberdeen will finish in the bottom six despite racking up two wins on the bounce and extending their unbeaten league run to six matches. But Hoilett believes the belief has grown since Leven replaced Neil Warnock at in mid-March.

“The manager has brought confidence into the squad since he’s taken over,” the veteran winger stated. “It was crucial to start off the post-split games with wins. We have a bit of momentum recently and we have to maintain that right to the end.

“There’s some good talent at this club and we are on a roll under Peter. The team is on a good run in the league right now, and we’ve got to maintain it. We’ve got to carry it on, working day in, day out to get better – not only as an individuals, but as a group.”

Hoilett knows if he can continue helping Aberdeen by cementing seventh place then it will boost his chances of remaining in the Canadian national team plans.

“It’s a massive for Canada being in the Copa America for the first time,” he continued. “If I get called up, I’d be delighted to represent my country.

“At the minute, I’m focused on playing every week for Aberdeen. I’m enjoying my time here and am gelling well with the team, which is a good group. We bond on and off the field. Everybody works hard for each other to get wins over the line.