Edmondson shines as Reds win thriller

Derek McInnes hailed Ryan Edmondson for his twogoal performance that helped the Dons see off Hamilton Accies. Edmondson, pictured, scored twice in the first half, with Tommie Hoban and Lewis Ferguson also notching in the first period in the 4-2 win at Pittodrie.

David Moyo and Ross Callachan responded for the visitors but Aberdeen in the end were comfortable winners, moving back up to third in the table.

But Edmondson’s display caught the eye, marking his first start for the Dons with a brace.

McInnes said: “We thought long and hard about playing him on Saturday.

“We were mindful that Sam ( Cosgrove) has not had any competitive football for a long time – he only did three weeks of pre- season before he got his injury.

“Edmondson stood up and led the line well. He’s a bit excitable at times and there’s a rawness but I like that.

He’s eager to please and score goals. He’s thought highly of at Leeds at under-23s and scored plenty.

“He acquitted himself well. Physically he can deal with it. He’s young but has big shoulders.

The goals will do him no harm – when you come to a new club, whe ther you’re a permanent or loan signing, you want to play your part and feel accepted by contributing on the pitch.

“We see a lot of good in him on the training pitch and last night was his opportunity to start. He certainly took it.” Jonny Hayes will have a scan today on a groin injury after limping off in the first half, while Ross McCrorie, Ash Ta y l o r and Edmondson all came away from the game with knocks. Wa t c h i n g the game from the stands was former Rangers and Celtic youngster Liam Burt, who will train with the Dons’ development squad.

Burt made three appearances for the Rangers first-team and had loan spells at Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic in the Championship. He left Celtic in the summer, one year into a two-year deal.

McInnes added: “We just had an invitation with him to come and train. He will train with the development squad today and we’ll have a look at him over the next few days. There’s nothing more than that.

“We spoke to the agent last week and because we knew we had these practice matches, it was just a case of opening an invitation to the boy to have a look at him and for him to have a look at us.”