Vidal is ready to stall Driver

By Paul Third

Javan Vidal’s opportunities to play first-team football at Aberdeen have come quicker than he expected and the Englishman has learned already he must be versatile.

The England under-19 international, who is on loan at the Dons from Manchester City, has made two appearances so far, both in different positions, and with a trip to Tynecastle today offering him his third chance to impress, Vidal is prepared for whatever Reds manager Jimmy Calderwood asks of him.

He said: “I've played in two different positions – centre midfield and right wing back – in my first two games, although I'm predominantly an attacking right back. But I'll play anywhere the manager wants me to.

“It was a great experience to get on against Rangers and face up to Pedro Mendes, who is one of the best players in the country. It doesn't get much better or tougher but I just take it all in my stride.”

Halting Hearts’ winger Andy Driver will be Vidal’s task if selected today but he believes he has enough experience from his time at City to cope at Tynecastle.

He said: “I don't know anything at all about him but I've played against a lot of good, fast wingers in England and I have coped.

“Tynecastle will be another new experience and this is a game we must win. We can't afford to slip up again, especially after losing at Falkirk.

“We threw away three points which was frustrating because Dundee United and Hearts lost and the chance to open up a gap was lost.

“I can't explain why this happened because we were phenomenal against Rangers and Celtic. It was just one of these things which can happen on the day.

“We missed a few chances in the first half, didn't take them and ended up with a defeat.”

Vidal’s first impression of life in the SPL has been exactly what he expected with the advice of team-mate Sone Aluko and international team-mate Josh Walker, who was on loan to the Dons last season, preparing him well.

He said: “Scottish football is very fast, highly intensive and extremely physical but it's much the same as it is down in England. But I'm not surprised, I knew what I was coming into because Sone Aluko and Josh Walker told me all about it.

“Sone has been a great help in settling me into the squad. We have a tremendous bunch of lads.

“The quality of both the football and the players is high, there's not much difference from the game in England."

Taken from The Press and Journal