Stephen Gleeson, one of Aberdeen’s summer imports from south of the border, admits he was puzzled that his new club entered the Betfred League Cup competition just one game away from a quarter-final tie.
The Dubliner, who started career at Wolves before featuring in nearly 300 games for MK Dons and Birmingham City, was unaware his new employers were seeded in the competition, though he’s not complaining.
He insists he is enjoying life in the North East following a disappointing six months at Ipswich Town and was persuaded by Dons manager Derek McInnes that, if he sought his first-ever cup-winners’ medal, than Pittodrie might just be the place to be.
Still finding his feet in the Scottish game, the 30-year-old and his team-mates will, of course, have to negotiate their way past St Mirren in their last-16 tie at Pittodrie today.
However, he stresses there is confidence in a diva-free Aberdeen changing-room following a season opener draw with Rangers and a win at Dundee last weekend, not to say two stoic Europa League performances against Burnley.
He said: “It was strange, coming in for pre-season and seeing teams already in the cup.
“I was asking ‘why aren’t we involved straight away?’
“Down south, you’re in the first round and you have to win seven or eight games to get into the final.
“This is a big opportunity for every club of this stage of the competition.
“If you win a cup in December, it can only spur you on to bigger and better things.
“It can give you that confidence as well.
“We’re no different and we’re definitely looking to go far in this competition.”
The Dons lifted the League Cup with a penalty shoot-out win over Inverness Caley Thistle four years ago but have come up short since.
However, Gleeson is eager to get his hands on a trophy and can only look ahead.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve been on a good cup run.
“I’ve played in League Cup games in England and I’ve played in derbies.
“We drew Aston Villa when I was at Birmingham. That was massive down south.
“I just hope the game against St Mirren is the start of a decent cup run.”
After missing the opening period of pre-season preparation because of an injury, he’s now excited after experiencing the excitement of the Dons’ first few games.
“It was easy to come into this group.
“There’s no egos, there’s nothing like that at all in the dressing room.
“It’s a good dressing room and getting results just breeds confidence in any club.
“We’re undefeated after facing Rangers and Dundee and you can see the lads growing in each training session which can only bode well for us.
“I kind of knew how big a club Aberdeen was from the minute I spoke to the manager and I did my research.
“What I’ve experienced since joining has just enhanced for me how big this club is.”
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