Bruce Anderson can be a “natural goalscorer” for Aberdeen and play a significant role for the Dons.
That is the view of manager Derek McInnes, who has seen the 20-year-old Banffer come off the bench twice this season and net vital goals.
Anderson immediately endeared himself to the Red Army after netting an injury-time equaliser against Rangers on the opening day of the season.
He came off the bench against Kilmarnock earlier this month when the Dons were a goal down and he then diverted Niall McGinn’s shot in to the net to help the Dons register a 2-1 victory at Rugby Park.
Anderson’s impressive early impact netted him a new contract until 2021 and his natural goalscoring ability, highlighted by his instinct for regularly finding the net with the Dons’ reserves, bodes well for his first-team prospects.
McInnes said: “The youngsters have contributed well this year, both starting and coming off the bench.
“I thought against Kilmarnock our subs were ready to make an impact.
“It is important I get that from the bench. That different dynamic from Bruce helped to change the game.
“Young Bruce scored the goal where he got across the defender because it is better being half a yard in front of the defender than being 10 yards behind him.
“He is sharp in the mind and he expects to score those sort of goals, those little scruffy goals.
“It was a lovely finish. He is someone we are working with to try to make his all-round game better.
“We want him to link the play and physically he is getting better but what we can’t deny is he is a natural goalscorer.
“Bruce was always going to be one of our four strikers and he had a role to play.
“He has played a couple of significant roles already this season.”
McInnes added that the youngster has not been knocking on his door for opportunities, as he awaits his first senior start in a red shirt.
He said: “No, he hasn’t yet, he doesn’t need to. My eye is my judge in training and in games. I know what Bruce is capable of.
“We have had a number of conversations at length about retaining what he is and working hard for that little improvement.
“He is like every player and he is coming along just fine and we are really pleased with him.”