Besuijen confidence praised as Goodwin hails young winger

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has hailed the self-belief and fighting spirit of Dutch winger Vicente Besuijen.

Goodwin says Dundee resorted to “kicking him up and down the park in the second half” of the 1-0 win at the weekend.

And he praised the winger for brushing off Dundee’s challenges to play a key role in the victory.

Goodwin says he wants players with strong characters who can handle the pressure of playing for Aberdeen.

He reckons January signing Besuijen fits the bill perfectly as he “has something about him”.

Besuijen, 21, was secured for €500,000 (£420,000) from Dutch second tier ADO Den Haag. The former Dutch youth international penned a four-and-a-half year contract until summer 2026.

Goodwin said: “The wee man (Besuijen) certainly has something about him.

“It doesn’t matter how many times he gives the ball away he keeps looking for it to get into the game. He never shirks a tackle.

“You could see that. The Dundee guys were kicking him up and down the park second half but he continues to get up and get on it.

“That is very pleasing. “You need strong characters in the building to be able to handle the level of expectation at a big club like this. Vicente has real self-belief and great confidence.”

Besuijen arrived at Pittodrie with a pedigree having made 30 appearances in the Dutch top flight, the Eredivisie, in 2020-21.

He scored a memorable first Pittodrie goal with a stunning strike in the 3-1 defeat of Hibs in March.

With Besuijen contracted for another four full seasons Goodwin intends to develop him into a top asset.

Goodwin said: “The recruitment team deserve a lot of credit for Vicente.

“That was done prior to me coming in. He is a really good young talent who still has room for development. And he will be a good asset for the club going forward.”

Besuijen has quickly transitioned into the Aberdeen squad and the pressures that come with a club of that size.

Goodwin insists there must be a perfect combination for players he wants at the club – talent and temperament.

He wants players, like Besuijen, who have selfbelief and confidence.

Another fundamental is players who are willing to dig deep and not hide when the chips are down.

Goodwin said: “Playing for a big club like Aberdeen is not for everybody.

“You either have that self-belief and confidence in your own ability.

“When things are going well at a club like this it is very easy because the place is bouncing and everyone is happy.

“But when you are up against it and the chips are down – then you have to still stand up and be counted.

“That’s when you find out a lot about players.”

Vicente Besuijen brushed off Dundee challenges.