Goal of Season

I have a few contenders in the mix for the AFC Goal of the Season competition which the club are now running.

But first things first – how is my goal against Motherwell at Fir Park not in there?!!

It should be in the top five never mind not making the top ten – I look forward to discussing this with those who made up the shortlist!

Sam and Zak also scored excellent goals that day, both of which have been nominated, but I really liked my goal that day too, though I’m not sure if it was my best one.

My free-kick against Hearts was a good one because it was from so far out, and I also scored a good free-kick up at Ross County.

You do remember some goals better than others and free-kicks are always easier ones to remember.

I have been quite fortunate to score a good number of them for Aberdeen, which has been very pleasing. As I said recently the one at Tynecastle in January would definitely be up there as one of my favorites because it was from quite far out. It also sticks out because it was an important one – we were losing, so the goal brought us back into the game. It’s always a great stadium to score in too, especially as I was getting dog’s abuse from the home support that day when I was warming up as a sub, so it was nice to score and give them a bit back!

 

But actually, my favourite goal last year, which might not stand out for too many people, was my first of the campaign, way back against the Finnish side RoPS Rovaniemi in the UEFA Europa

League first qualifying round first leg tie at Pittodrie.

That seems a long time ago now.

If you watch it back, though I say it myself, it was an unbelievable first touch!

The cross came in from Ryan Hedges along the ground. I read it well and got in front of the defender before taking the touch and dinking it over the keeper. Very satisfying!

It was a nice way to come back into the side because if you remember, it was my first game back after my injury the previous season, when I was out for three months or so. That was a frustrating period for me after the operation, as I missed some internationals as well.

It meant a lot after all the hard work I had done to play that night.

I remember coming in at half-time and sharing the moment with the phyisos and thanking them for all the work they had done with me. It was nice to be able to do that because I owed them a lot for helping me get back on the pitch ahead of time.

 

European football

I have scored some big goals in Europe down the years.

I scored away at Groningen to help us get the win over there to put us through. That was a really big performance that night.

I scored what turned out to be a big goal in Macedonia too. We drew 1-1 over there and then drew 0-0 at home, so the away goal put us through. They were a very good side and looking back, that was a very good result.

Then against Rijeka a few years back, we won 3-0 away from home but always knew we had work to do at Pittodrie, because they were such a good side. So they proved when they went 2-0 up, but

I more or less scored straight from kick-off to pull a goal back and the tie then swung back our way.

I’ve got six goals in Europe which apparently puts me eighth on the all-time list. Adam Rooney is on nine so that is a target for me!

I mentioned recently that I want to beat his AFC goals haul of 88 – I am on 84 – but it would be good to beat his European tally as well!

It should be pointed out that he scored five goals against Daugava Riga, including a hat-trick in Latvia. Jonny Hayes used to tell him those goals did not count as that team were so bad and do not exist anymore, so actually he is only on four and I am ahead of him!

I’m really looking forward to trying to compete in Europe again later this season and adding to my tally.

Best Moment

My favourite moment on a football field was scoring at the European Championships in the summer of 2016.

I scored the second goal late on in the game against Ukraine. It was such a great feeling for a number of reasons. I was disappointed that I did not play in the first game, but I knew I had a chance of being involved in the second match because the manager changed the formation. He went to a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3.

I was just so happy to be on the pitch and I never thought in a million years that I would score. To score in a major tournament for your country is just incredible. The goal also meant that we got beyond the group stages because it went down to goal difference.

I thought I played a pivotal part in the build up to the Euros as I scored a couple of important goals in the qualifying games. I also chipped in with four or five assists. I thought I did well to help the team over the campaign.

 

All-time AFC Goal

The goal I like most during my Aberdeen career was the one I scored against Hearts at Tynecastle in September 2015.

I won the ball deep in our half and then we cleared it. I made a good run and picked the ball up in the corner, nutmegged their defender before coming inside. I sent Paterson for fish and chips (extra salt) then put the ball past Neil Alexander. I could name nine or ten goals that I really like, but that one is my favourite.

I have been quite blessed because I have scored some very good goals for Aberdeen – I don’t seem to score easy ones!

I’m up for goal of the season every year, but I have yet to win the award! The year of the Hearts goal, Jonny scored against Celtic from about 30 yards and won it, but I still think my goal was better!

It would be nice to win the award one year, so any votes would be appreciated!

 

As always, next season my priority is to get assists and create chances for Aberdeen, but I will continue to try and get in the right positions and continue to work hard so I can get myself on the scoresheet.