Dean Campbell will likely be thrown into the deep end when Aberdeen take on RoPS Rovaniemi in the Europa League.
Midfielder Craig Bryson is in a fitness race against time to be fit for the European opener at Pittodrie. Stephen Gleeson will miss the clash with a knee injury. It may just give Campbell the chance to step up and make his European debut.
He says he will be fit and ‘ready to go’ should boss Derek McInnes calls upon him.
Speaking to the Evening Express, Campbell sent out a rally cry ahead of the match: “I will be ready for whatever the manager wants me to do, whether that is to start.
“I just have to make sure I put in a good week in training and get ready to see what happens. I feel that I am ready to go and ready to make an impact.
“I have started every game so far (in pre-season), which is what I wanted to do coming into the new season. I came back fit and have got good minutes into my legs as well. I am ready to go.”
Campbell has to be ‘ready’ for Aberdeen
It’s a good job the 18-year-old is feeling so buoyant about the match. He’s likely to feature in the match in some shape or form.
No matter the opposition, it’ll still be a big test for him. He watched on from the bench last season as Burnley knocked the Dons out the Europa League. Now Campbell will have the opportunity to leave his mark on the competition.
Chances are he’ll start again the Finns. He’s been playing alongside Lewis Ferguson in midfield all pre-season for that reason. When the game does come around, Campbell has to show the maturity and calmness on the ball which has seen him develop into one of the Dons’ top talents.
It’ll be a big night for the lifelong Red Army supporter. He’ll likely be playing from the off due to Bryson’s fitness issues. It’s his chance to pitch to McInnes why he deserves his place in the starting XI.