Aberdeen have recalled youth academy graduate attacker Adam Emslie from his loan at fellow Granite City outfit Cove Rangers – to see if he can cut it in Dons boss Jimmy Thelin’s first-team.
Having spent last term impressing on loan at Highland League Formartine United, Emslie, 19, has kicked on again this season during an eye-catching first half of the campaign at League One Cove.
On Tuesday, Aberdeen confirmed Emslie – contracted to the Dons until 2026 – has returned to Pittodrie, with Cove describing the departing youngster as a “revelation” during his temporary spell.
In 21 starts for the Balmoral Stadium side, Emslie – predominantly viewed as wideman, but also utilised through the middle by Cove boss Paul Hartley – has scored six times and also provided six assists for team-mates.
His last goal for Cove was the first in their 2-0 Scottish Cup victory over Forfar Athletic on January 18 – where he stormed in behind and nutmegged Loons goalie Marc McCallum.
As the winter window slammed shut on Monday night, Aberdeen confirmed they had sold Cape Verde international left-winger/striker Duk, 24, to Spanish La Liga outfit Leganes in a £600,000 deal.
And The Press and Journal can reveal Emslie’s recall is a direct result of Duk’s departure, with Thelin keen to assess whether the young talent – yet to feature in a Dons match-day squad – is ready to be part of the first-team.
Thelin brought in two attacking players during the transfer window, with his former Elsborg player Jeppe Okkels joining in a loan-with-option-to-buy switch from Preston North End in January, while Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh sealed a similar move from Charleroi late on Tuesday.
With the likes of Topi Keskinen, Shayden Morris, Pape Gueye and Peter Ambrose among those fit and fighting for attacking positions in Thelin’s team, Emslie faces competition to get in a Reds side who are on a 14-Premiership game winless run and without a goal in their last FIVE top-flight matches.
Cove boss Paul Hartley hailed Emslie to P&J
In a recent interview with the P&J, Cove boss Paul Hartley – who still has young Aberdeen stars Findlay Marshall and Dylan Lobban on loan – hailed Emslie’s abilities, saying he felt he could hold his own in the Dons’ first-team “no problem” – while adding: “We’ve changed his position a wee bit, and we’ve played him through the middle at this moment in time.
“He’s played most of his football in a wider area, but I just felt when I looked at his pace he could trouble teams in behind.
“He’s a young man learning the game.
“He had a loan spell at Formartine (United in the Highland League) last year, did very well, and obviously he’s jumped up a few levels. But he’s he’s come in and handled it really well.
“He’s really good to work with, has great pace about him and he can score a goal.
“He’s not a natural goalscorer, if you want to put it that way, but he knows where the back of the net is.
“And he’s had assists. So he’s done really well.
“He’s not a natural goalscorer, if you want to put it that way, but he knows where the back of the net is.
“And he’s had assists. So he’s done really well.”
Hartley said: “It’s valuable experience for them when you go out on loan – good, bad or indifferent – and, to be fair, the three youngsters have done really well and I’m really pleased with them.
“See if they’re good enough, get them in the team – I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be in at 16, 17, 18. That’s my opinion.
“I don’t think we’ve got enough youngsters playing at the top level.
“I think they can get into the team, no problem. As I said, if you’re good enough, then you’re old enough.
“They’re under contract to Aberdeen for another couple of years, so all we’re doing is to try to help develop them, give them experience, and you hope they get a wee opportunity at the top level.”
Emslie could still go back out on loan to the lower leagues before the loan window for those clubs closes at the end of February.
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