Revealed: Why Kjartan Már Kjartansson has not featured for Aberdeen and potential loan option

Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven has revealed why teenage midfielder Kjartan Már Kjartansson has been left out recent match-day squads.

The 19-year-old has been omitted from the last three squads since starting in the 2-0 loss away to Rangers on January 6.

Leven pitched Icelandic midfielder Kjartansson in from the start against Rangers at Ibrox in his first match as interim manager.

It was Kjartansson’s second Dons start following his six-figure transfer from Icelandic club Stjarnan last summer.

Kjartansson had to wait six months for his Dons debut when introduced as a substitute in a 3-1 loss away to Celtic on December 21.

The midfielder delivered an impressive debut at Parkhead.

Within minutes of his introduction he delivered a superb pass to play in Kenan Bilalovic to score against Celtic.

Leven on Icelandic midfielder

Kjartansson was then pitched in from his first start soon after for the 2-0 loss to Hibs at Easter Road on December 30.

The Icelandic under-21 international also started against Rangers as it looked like he had broken into the first team-set up, but Kjartansson has not featured since.

When asked if that was due to injury, Leven said: “No. He’s a young kid and we have got to manage him the right way.

“We’ve got a big squad.

“So it’s managing him and working individually with him as well, off the pitch, and doing extra with him.

“But he’s got a bright future.”

Kjartansson was secured from Icelandic top-flight Stjarnan on a four-year deal.

Signing rising ‘project players’

Aberdeen beat competition from a number of clubs to sign the midfielder.

The teen made his debut for Stjarnan and made 58 appearances before completing his transfer to Aberdeen.

Kjartansson was signed as a “project player” by Aberdeen last summer along with other rising prospects Kenan Bilalovic and Mitchel Frame.

Signed for £550,00 from Swedish top flight club Varnamo, winger Bilalovic made his debut off the bench in a 1-0 loss to Falkirk on August 31.

However, Bilalovic had to wait until January 3 for his first start, again in a 1-0 loss to Falkirk.

That loss was Jimmy Thelin’s final game in charge.

Bilalovic has since started two of the four games under Leven, and scored his third goal of the season in the 6-2 win against Livingston.

Left back Mitchel Frame had to wait five months for his debut following a £250,000 transfer from Celtic last summer.

Leven pitched Frame in for a debut at half-time in the 1-0 Scottish Cup fourth round win against Raith Rovers.

He retained faith the 20-year-old, handing Frame a first start in the next game, a  6-2 win against Livingston at the weekend.

Addressing potential loan option

There was loan interest in Frame from the Scottish Championship and Ireland before that first team breakthrough.

Frame will be at Pittodrie in the second half of the season.

Asked if a potential loan is an option for Kjartansson, Leven said: “Potentially.

“That’s Lutz’s department, stuff like that.

“I’ve just got to work with what I’ve got and see who’s doing well in training, and I’ll pick off that.”

Leven has led the Dons to back-to-back wins as the search for a new manager continues.

Loan star Morrison set for debut

Next up is a trip to face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday.

Recent loan signing Liam Morrison, secured from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season, is set to make his Dons debut at Killie.

Centre-back Morrison was left out of the squad to face Livingston as he had only had one training session with the Dons.

Leven said: “We will go over the game against Livingston to see the things we can get better at.

“And the things we did well.

“There will be a tough training week and we will be ready for Kilmarnock.”

[Source: Press and Journal]