On Wednesday, Leighton Clarkson put Aberdeen in the European Cup with his sixth goal of an exceptional loan, an inch-perfect free kick.
Aberdeen appeared to be far from their goal of finishing first among the chasing group behind Celtic and Rangers as recently as the end of January.
After his team’s demoralizing 6-0 loss to Hibernian, which dropped them to seventh place in the 12-team Scottish Premiership just days after their worst-ever defeat to sixth-tier Darvel, manager Jim Goodwin was fired.
But since Barry Robson’s appointment in February, Aberdeen has won nine of their last 14 games and only lost four, securing third place.
A 3-0 victory over Hibernian on Wednesday night was the team’s first victory in four games since the top-six split, but it was enough to secure a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs for the following season.
In the 14th minute, Clarkson gave Aberdeen the perfect start with a superb free-kick that gave Tom Carson no chance as it curved into the top corner.
After Thierry Small, a defender for Hibernian, was dismissed on the half-hour, Graeme Shinnie’s double either side of halftime sealed the three points.
The goal was Clarkson’s sixth of the year, and in his 37 appearances for the team thus far, the 21-year-old has also provided nine assists.
Although his future is uncertain as he prepares to rejoin Liverpool this summer, Saturday’s trip to Celtic may be his final game for Aberdeen.
With only one year remaining on his Reds contract and turning 22 in October, it seems doubtful that Clarkson will continue to be a first-team option.
According to Sean Wallace of the Press & Journal, Aberdeen is “keen to secure Clarkson on a permanent deal in the summer window.”
However, it is stated that this “would require a fee,” with Paul Bernard, the club’s most expensive acquisition to date, costing £1 million in 1995.
The majority of Aberdeen’s recent signings have been loanees and unpaid moves, so it seems doubtful that Liverpool would permit Clarkson to leave without being compensated.
In recent months, clubs in the Football League and both Celtic and Rangers have been mentioned as having an interest in the teenager, indicating there may be competition for his services.
As Kilmarnock defeated Dundee United 3-0 on Wednesday night, Liverpool defender Luke Chambers helped his team retain their fifth clean sheet during his stint there.
