Ryan Hedges believes Marley Watkins has given Aberdeen an added dimension in attack.
The former Caley Thistle striker has yet to get off the mark for his new club following his loan move from Bristol City but has been an integral part of the Dons’ recent winning run after starting all four games since he arrived at the club.
Hedges is not surprised to see Watkins settle quickly on his return to Scottish football after playing with the attacker while the duo were at Barnsley and believes he can make a big impact in his time at Pittodrie.
Hedges said: “I had six months with him. I know his qualities and what he can bring to the team. I know he hasn’t got the goals but what he has done for the team is to be a menace and to create opportunities. It is only a matter of time before the goals start to flood in for him.
“All the strikers add something different and it all comes down to the manager’s pick for the games. Marley comes in and gives us another dimension to what we already have up there.”
Watkins, like Hedges, has international ambitions and the duo will be hoping to show Wales manager Ryan Giggs what they can do between now and next summer ahead of the 2021 European Championship finals.
Hedges has scored four goals so far for the Dons this season and the winger is hoping both he and Watkins can be successful and force the Welsh national team to check on their progress at Pittodrie.
He said: “We made our Welsh debuts together against Panama. That was a nice thing. It is good to have that link-up and know each other’s game like we do.
“You hope they will come up. We just need to keep producing and if we are doing well then hopefully I can get back in the Welsh squad.”
Hedges and Watkins have another chance to show what they can do on the European stage when the Dons fly out to Norway today for tomorrow’s Europa League second qualifying round tie against Viking FK.
Hedges was part of the Dons side which was knocked out by Rijeka last season and he would love to make amends by helping Aberdeen reach the group stage for the first time under Derek McInnes.
He said: “Rijeka was a big, negative impact on the team. We were all looking forward to progressing to the fourth qualifier but it wasn’t to be.
“The fans were unbelievable at home and we want that again but to go even further this year and even into the group stages.
“If you look at last season it was a bit up and down. We are looking for consistency and to keep doing what we are doing.”