Whisper it inside earshot of the Purple Military. However when Leighton Clarkson’s marvel winner in Perth flew into the St Johnstone internet, it did so sprinkled with greater than just a little Steven Gerrard magic mud on it.
To be truthful to the Aberdeen mortgage star it was of the Liverpool selection somewhat than something emanating from the Anfield legend’s three years in cost at Rangers. On-loan Liverpool ace Clarkson’s second-half free-kick which sealed a deserved three factors for the Dons was made at Melwood the place he honed his abilities within the academy below Gerrard.
And Jim Goodwin actually gained’t be caring a jot the place the brilliance was born because it lifted Aberdeen up from final week’s demoralising defeat to Motherwell and into fifth spot. Clarkson, whose ferocious strike two weeks in the past helped beat St Mirren, has taken no time to win over the Dons assist and admits Gerrard had an enormous position to play in his dead-ball prowess.
He stated: “I practise after classes. I like doing a little bit of taking pictures and the day earlier than the sport I all the time do free-kicks. It began once I was with the 18s at Liverpool and Gerrard was our coach.
“We did loads of one-to-ones with him and from then on I’ve simply achieved it earlier than each sport. He was in all probability the perfect individual to study from. Has Steven been in contact? Not at this minute in time. I’ve not checked by telephone after this sport so we’ll see!”
Clarkson’s winner was eerily much like Pittodrie loanee predecessor James Maddison’s effort that beat Rangers six years in the past. He added: “Funnily sufficient, I watched that free-kick the evening earlier than the sport. It simply popped up on my telephone. I didn’t know he scored it. As quickly as I received the possibility right now, I needed to take it.”
The 20-year-old could also be small in stature however he had an enormous affect on this sport and appears to have a good larger future. Composure, fast ft and eye for a move makes it clear to see why Clarkson is on Liverpool’s books with a Champions League look already.
A sequence of probing ahead passes created openings for the Dons – none higher than a superb bending ball proper on to the toe of Bojan Miovski early within the first half which the Macedonian did not convert. In beside the spectacular Ylber Ramadani and energetic Ross McCrorie it’s a promising trying engine room which has helped the Dons assist recover from the lack of Lewis Ferguson.
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And Clarkson, who spent six months on mortgage at Blackburn final season, stated: “I’m loving it. I wanted a membership the place I’m going to play. As quickly as Aberdeen got here in, I actually needed to go there. It’s a giant membership in Scotland and I knew all about them from watching them at dwelling. It was fairly a simple alternative.
“During the last couple of years I believe Scottish soccer has grow to be lots larger. Once I was in and across the academy, there was usually a Scottish sport on round 12.30pm.”
Aberdeen deserved the factors after controlling the sport for big spells. Bojan Miovski thought he’d opened the scoring on 10 minutes however his header from Jonny Hayes’ cross was dominated out for offside.
Former Dons stalwart Andy Considine took simply 20 minutes to make his mark in opposition to his previous facet when he clattered into Vicente Besuijen incomes him a yellow card. Miovski then failed to attach with Clarkson’s pretty by way of ball earlier than, down the opposite finish, Kelle Roos smothered Daniel Phillips’ low effort and Theo Bair inexplicably swiped contemporary air after a great in the reduction of from Jamie Murphy.
Aberdeen followers might need been forgiven for pondering their eight-month watch for an away league win was about to proceed. However then Clarkson stepped up along with his second of magic. Saints midfielder Graham Carey was livid with ref Craig Napier after being penalised for tripping Hayes. It could have been a mushy award however there was little doubt concerning the end from Clarkson.
Aberdeen might have prolonged their lead when a McCrorie piledriver stung Matthews’ palms earlier than Miovski noticed a shot saved by the keeper’s legs. Saints’ massive probability arrived with eight minutes to go when Murphy danced by way of the Dons defence however his effort was effectively saved by Roos to make sure the factors have been heading again to Pittodrie.