REVEALED: Why Mitchel Frame was given long-awaited debut and the latest on loan interest in defender

Interim coach Peter Leven has revealed why he handed Mitchel Frame a long-awaited debut five months after signing for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen splashed out £250,000 last summer to sign left-back Frame from Celtic on a four-year contract.

The Dons beat competition from English Premier League giants Liverpool and Belgian club Anderlecht to land the highly rated 19-year-old.

Frame was one of 12 outfield players signed in the summer but was the only one yet to feature for the first team, until Leven handed him a debut at the weekend.

The Scotland under-19 cap was introduced at half-time in the 1-0 Scottish Cup fourth round win against Raith Rovers at Pittodrie.

Why Leven gave Frame his debut

Leven insists Frame was signed for “the future” and hopes finally featuring for the Dons first-team can be the catalyst to kick-on at Pittodrie.

Leven said: “Mitchel was excellent when he came on.

“He has trained really, really well in the last two weeks.

“And if people train well I will give them opportunities.”

Frame came through the Celtic youth academy and broke into the Parkhead first team under Brendan Rodgers.

Leven’s positional demand of Frame

He made his debut for Celtic in a UEFA Champions League victory over Feyenoord in December 2023.

Aberdeen also signed left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi last summer from German Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04.

Gyamfi has suffered injury setbacks this season but when fit has usually been the preferred option at left-back and wing-back.

Frame was omitted from former boss Jimmy Thelin’s squad for the Uefa Conference League campaign.

Summer signings Kenan Bilalovic and Kjarton Mar Kjartansson were also left out of the 25-man squad.

Now that his first team breakthrough has finally arrived, Leven has urged Frame to stay wide to use his scintillating pace.

He said: “Mitchel brings energy and speed as he is so quick.

“It is fitting him into a system.

“At times he was coming inside but I want him more on the outside to use his speed.

“I am delighted he made such a good debut.”

Potential loan interest in Frame

Despite lack of game time, Frame was called up to the Scotland under-21 squad for a UEFA U-21 Championship qualifier against Portugal in September.

It is understood his lack of first team action has led to teams tracking the teen with the view to a potential loan swoop.

Leven said: “I hope he stays.

“Mitchel has just played 45 minutes.

“He is someone we have brought to the club for the future, but he played on Sunday and hopefully he can kick on from here.

“I think that was the first time he had been on the bench.

“Mitchel has trained well and if they do that then I need to give players an opportunity.

“If players don’t want to train well then they won’t be in the squad and won’t get on the pitch.”

Why Gyamfi was subbed at half-time

Frame was introduced for his debut at the break against Raith, replacing left-back Gyamfi.

Since arriving at Pittodrie last summer Gyamfi, 21, has suffered two injuries.

He returned from a hamstring injury in December and has started Aberdeen’s last four games.

Asked if Gyamfi was taken off at half-time due to an injury concern, Leven said: “No.

“He was on a yellow card, it was just a precaution and I wanted to bring Mitchel on.”

[Source: Press and Journal]