Aberdeen’s Mitchel Frame on finding strength to overcome frustrating start to Dons career

Aberdeen wing-back Mitchel Frame says he remained strong and continued to graft in training during a frustrating start to his Pittodrie career.

The Dons beat competition from English Premier League giants Liverpool and Belgian club Anderlecht to sign Frame from Celtic in a £250,000 deal last summer.

However Frame had to wait six months to make his debut as he did not get game time under former manager Jimmy Thelin, who signed him.

Eventually Frame was given his Dons breakthrough in January by former interim boss Peter Leven.

The Scotland under-21 international’s self-belief and dedication are paying off as he has started the last two games under boss Stephen Robinson.

‘It was about staying strong’

And Frame registered a career landmark with his first goal in senior football when scoring the opener in the 2-2 draw at Livingston.

He said: “It was tough at first as I had been at Celtic most of my life so it was a new experience.

“I felt like I needed to do it (transfer to Aberdeen).

“It was difficult because as a footballer you want to play as much as you can.

“It was about staying strong, always being ready and giving 100 percent in training.

“Always ready to take the opportunity.

“Once I got my debut I feel I kicked on from there and my confidence definitely went up.

“The new manager has come in and gave me my chance and I wanted to take it.”

Frame was one of 12 outfield players signed last summer but was the last one to make a debut for the first team, in the Scottish Cup against Raith Rovers on January 18.

Focusing on Aberdeen breakthrough

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

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

Fellow youngsters at the club supported Frame during the frustrating wait for a Dons breakthrough.

Frame said: “A few of the younger lads like Dylan Lobban and KJ (Kjartan Már Kjartansson) were going through similar things.

“It was good to relate with them and keep our heads up together.”

Frame’s first senior goal carried further significance for the wing-back as his family were at Livingston to witness it.

Celebrating first goal with family

He collected a pass from Dennis Geiger in the box before cutting inside and firing in a superb right footed drive.

Aberdeen were twice ahead in the match but were pegged back by Premiership bottom club Livingston who are scrapping for the top-flight survival.

Frame said: “I’m delighted to get my first goal.

“It came from good play and I cut in and scored it with my weak foot as well.

“It was a great feeling as my family were there as well.

“My mum, dad and girlfriend were here and I was proud to score in front of them.

“They try to get to most of the away games because as we are from Ayrshire it is tough to get to the home games.”

Appointed as Aberdeen head coach last month, Robinson has stopped a damaging slide in Premiership form.

Clarity of vision under Dons boss

The Reds had won only once in 13 league matches before Robinson’s arrival.

Under Robinson Aberdeen are unbeaten in their previous three games, winning two and drawing one.

Frame insists there is a clarity of vision with Robinson that he is transferring to the players.

He said: “The manager gets straight to the point and tells you exactly what he wants.

“So you just go out there and try to play the best you can.

“He has developed a lot of good players so it is just about being patient and trusting what he says.

“Trusting his formation, how he wants to play and just back him the whole way.

“I like the formation as wing-back gives a little more freedom to try to get at people, try to get one-v-one and past them.

“At left-back I like to get forward as well.”

Robinson working on team unity

Robinson has also instigated measures at Cormack Park in a bid to forge a stronger unitybetween the players.

He has also introduced team bonding days out, such as golfing outings.

Frame said: “It is about team bonding.

“We have had a few days out and there are more areas where we can chat to one another.

“There are a lot of different nationalities so it is about getting to know each other.

“I feel like that has helped a lot on the pitch.

“I feel like the team is definitely starting to glue together now.

“We want to finish as strongly as possible and win every game.”

[Source: Press and Journal]