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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Anthony Stewart's explains his Aberdeen exit as 'dominant leader' sees 'last minute' decision decide Dons future

Anthony Stewart says he only heard at the 11th hour that he was on his way out of Aberdeen.

Interim boss at Pittodrie Barry Robson says it was his decision to let this season's skipper go out on loan to MK Dons after a string of performances were critiqued in red. Jim Goodwin has been sacked by chairman Dave Cormack and a leaky Premiership defence was part of the reason why the axe came down on the Irishman. But Stewart now has hopes for a fresh start in England's third tier, where he has experience at Wycombe Wanderers.

It's a stint he's looking forward to, but initial interest was cast to one side for Aberdeen focus, before everything changed. He told MK Dons' club media: "I have met everyone and I am looking forward to getting going. I found out about a week or so ago about MK being interested in me. At that time I was quite focused on what I had to do but last minute, the opportunity arose for me to come here and I was willing to do so. I am here to defend first and foremost.

"Everything else will come after. I expect to come in whenever I am called upon, playing or not playing, to give my knowledge to those that need it."

New gaffer Mark Jackson believes he provides much-needed leadership to his side currently hovering just above the League One relegation zone, telling MK Citizen: "Anthony has shown his capabilities over the years at the level he has played at.

"He's playing in big games. He has the ability to play in our team, but also the experience and leadership qualities which will be important for the group.

"We've got a lot of leaders in different ways, but being a vocal dominant leader is a hard thing to come by these days, and Anthony has shown that. He'll bring a lot to the table for us.”

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