Liverpool loanee Leighton Clarkson has added another eyecatching moment to his growing portfolio on loan at Aberdeen as boss Barry Robson hailed the midfielder.
He made it five league goals for the season, scoring for the first time since the Scottish Premiership split, in the Dons' comfortable 3-0 win over St Mirren. The 21-year-old put the hosts in front inside 15 minutes with an expertly crafted free-kick leaving opposition goalkeeper Trevor Carson no chance.
From a tight angle on the left side of the 18-yard box, the Reds youngster curled over the four-man wall into the top corner for his sixth Aberdeen goal in all competitions. At the beginning of the campaign, he opened his account for the Scottish side against Wednesday's opponents before doubling his account with an exquisite match-winning free-kick against St Johnstone.
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Ever since, he has continued to score spectacular goals from midfield including a volley against Rangers and former Liverpool academy coach Michael Beale in December.
Former Everton youngster Thierry Small was sent off for Stephen Robinson's side in the first-half which added to the task for the travelling Paisley side. Graeme Shinnie grabbed a brace either side of the interval to send Aberdeen four points clear in third.
Robson had frequently lauded the on-loan talent as he continues his development in men's football and the 44-year-old emphasised the Blackburn-born midfielder's importance to his side.
"He is a talented boy," he said via the Scotsman. "He has that quality that he can do that - he gives you that feeling when a player puts a ball down and you think, 'hmmm, this is a goal.'
"He has been a big part of our team. Him and (Yiber) Ramadani and Shinnie, you see the difference when they are back in."
The win for Aberdeen ensured European football would return to Pittodrie as they guaranteed a top-three finish. In a video posted on the official club Twitter account he dropped a possible hint over his future with the Reds, he said: "Thank you for your support this season. It's been incredible. We'll see you in Europe."
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