Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven offers fresh hope for Leighton Clarkson

Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven insists Leighton Clarkson can still play a key role at the club.

The former Liverpool midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Dons after slipping down the pecking order at Pittodrie under former boss Jimmy Thelin.

But Clarkson made his first league start for the club since the home defeat by Falkirk on August 31 in Sunday’s 2-0 loss against Rangers at Pittodrie.

Leven utilised Clarkson regularly previously, giving the midfielder a starting role in nine of his 11 interim matches in charge at the end of the 2023-24 campaign following Neil Warnock’s departure.

Having assumed the role again, Leven has no qualms about calling upon Clarkson as he looks to get the Dons back to winning ways.

The interim manager, who also brought Clarkson on in the 2-0 defeat at Ibrox last week, said: “He’s a very good footballer. He sees things that I don’t think many people see.

“His vision, his calmness on the ball.

“I don’t know why he’s not started as much.

“But listen, everybody’s got their opportunity to impress myself and the staff in training.

“He should have scored at Ibrox. It was a great move.

“But the move from the goalkeeper all the way through, right up, it was great.”

Leven will use every player available

Prior to Leven taking charge, the Dons were ready to move several players on from the club this month.

Alfie Dorrington was recalled from his loan by Tottenham Hotspur while Ante Palaversa, Kusini Yengi, Peter Ambrose and Vicente Besuijen could leave the club before the window closes on February 2.

Leven is unsure whether any planned activity has been altered following Thelin’s dismissal on January 4.

However, the interim boss is happy to use whoever is available while he is in charge.

He said: “It’s a clean slate for everybody.

“Again, it’s who’s shown me on the training pitch, who looks fired up for this and I’ve no qualms of picking anybody that I see that is working hard in training.”

When asked if plans could change now Thelin has left the club Leven said: “Possibly, but that’s Lutz’s department. He’s obviously spoken to players and agents.

“So, again, I’m only dealing with what I’ve got here in the building right now.

“I’m taking it day by day. What I’ve got, I’m going to use to my advantage.”

Milanovic has suffered from change of shape

Nicolas Milanovic is another player who comes into that category.

The Australian has endured a tough first season in Scotland and could head out on loan this month to gain regular game time, but Leven will use the winger, who also started against Rangers at Pittodrie following the switch to a back four, while he is available.

He said: “I had a chat with him the other day.

“The change of system didn’t help him because he’s been brought in to be a winger.

“We went to the three at the back, it hasn’t helped him.

“But listen, it’s something we’ll look to speak to him about because he’s been training really well recently.

“So it’s something that I need to think about.”

The Dons struggled to impose themselves in the second half of their 2-0 defeat by Rangers on Sunday and Leven believes a lack of confidence may have contributed to the lack of chances created and poor goals conceded.

He said: “We’re just losing goals when we should be doing better. It’s about taking responsibility, taking ownership and doing the basics right.

“We have spoken about it and we’ve worked on it. It’s part of football.”

[Source: Press and Journal]