Ward confident of a Dons run in Europe
DANNY Ward believes both he and Aberdeen can embark on a positive run following his crucial home debut clean sheet.
The goalkeeper kept out Shkendija in a goalless draw at Pittodrie on Thursday to see the Dons through to the second qualifying round of the Europa League via the away goals rule.
Ward was previously thrust into the action in Macedonia days after joining from Liverpool on a season-long loan deal and he was delighted to secure a trip to Croatia to face Rijeka when he pushed wide a 20-yard strike in injury-time.
The 22-year-old told REDTV: “I did see it late and thankfully got a hand to it. But the back four were great all night. Every time they were called upon they stuck their head in, stuck their foot in, got their bodies in the way.”
Scott Brown kept eight consecutive Premiership clean sheets last season, and 17 in all, but Ward was immediately elevated above both the former Cheltenham ’keeper and the long-serving Jamie Langfield.
“The reason I came here was to, hopefully, get games and thankfully the manager has put his faith in me this early in the season,” the Wales squad player said. “I’m very happy to get the first two games under my belt.
“It’s always hard to come into a group of players. You can train as much as you want, but it’s more getting to know each other on the pitch and on the big stage. Long may that continue and hopefully I can keep the jersey as long as I can.”
Aberdeen travel to next Thursday to face Croatia a team who have a good recent record in Europe. They won all six qualifying legs last term and beat Standard Liege and Feyenoord at home in the group stages.
But Ward believes Aberdeen can draw confidence from their opening triumph. “We knew what they were about from last week. They are technically very good, a lot of good players, a lot of internationals,” he said. “So it was a good test for us, especially so early in the season.
“So I’m very happy to get through and, personally, to get the clean sheet and get the first game at Pittodrie out the way.”