Lewis is league’s No 1

AFC: Coutts hails former team-mate as best keeper in Premiership

Paul Coutts believes his friend and former team-mate Joe Lewis is the best goalkeeper in the Scottish Premiership.

Fleetwood Town midfielder Coutts, pictured, played alongside the Aberdeen custodian at Peterborough United from 20082010 and believes the Dons are lucky to have the Englishman between the sticks.

Coutts, 31, said: “Joe’s a superb goalie. He always has been even when I first encountered him down at Peterborough.

“He was unlucky in that he seems to have spent time as a No 2 keeper at other clubs and not getting to play.

“But I think it’s been good for him that he’s found a home in Aberdeen really where he’s been a No 1 and has been able to just settle down and concentrate on performing.

“It’s probably the best move Joe’s made to join Aberdeen and he loves playing for the club.

“I know he’s committed to the club long term and I know he’s bought a house in the city as well.

“In my opinion he’s the best goalie in the Scottish Premiership so it’s brilliant Aberdeen have him on a long term contract.” Last year Lewis, who joined the Dons in 2016, became the captain at Pittodrie following the departure of Graeme Shinnie. The former England squad goalkeeper, 32, also penned a new contract to keep him in the Granite City until the summer of 2024.

With Aberdeen having seen a string of stars such as Jonny Hayes, Ryan Jack, Kenny McLean and Shinnie leave in recent seasons

Coutts believes having Lewis signed up long term is good business.

The man who started his professional career with Cove Rangers added: “I think it’s important for the Dons they have the captain and an important player like Joe signed up long term.

“They went through a spell when every year a star man seemed to leave the Dons.

“It happened with Kenny McLean, with Graeme Shinnie, Ryan Jack and Jonny Hayes.

“They all moved on so having Joe tied down is great for the club and great for him as well.”

Coutts and Lewis remain good friends to this day and the Aberdonian will always be grateful to Lewis for helping him settle at Peterborough when he moved to London Road as a 20-year-old in the summer of 2008.

The former Preston, Derby and Sheffield United player said: “Joe helped me out massively when I started out at Peterborough.

“He was the up and coming English goalkeeping prospect at that time.

“He’s a top level goalie and he’s shown that since he has come up to Aberdeen, he’s really fulfilled his potential.

“He was a young lad the same as myself at Peterborough and he really helped me settle in when I went down there.”