Aberdeen unearth new set-piece specialist as Leighton Clarkson shares teammate’s expertise

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Leighton Clarkson says Aberdeen have found their future set-piece coach in midfielder Dante Polvara.

The American has been with the Dons since January 2022 but a long-term injury sustained in pre-season has given him the freedom to chip in elsewhere.

Polvara initially impressed manager Jimmy Thelin in the summer before a serious hamstring tear ruled him out for months.

He is yet to play a part in Aberdeen’s winning machine this season. Although if you ask fellow midfielder Clarkson, Polvara has actually contributed to a few goals due to his work on set-pieces in training whilst injured.

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Dante Polvara’s Aberdeen set-piece coaching

As quoted in the Daily Record, Clarkson has told Polvara he has a future at Aberdeen beyond his playing career.

The ex-Liverpool kid said: “I’ve told Dante that after his career here, he might need to stay here and be the set piece coach.

“Dante had been out longer term injury and has been a set piece coach lately. Dante had been doing the attacking set pieces. He is doing it properly and comes out with all the coaches’ gear on.

“On a Friday, he will do all his rehab and then he will come out with us and wait until we do the set pieces. He goes through how many set pieces we want to go through and delivers them.

“I think we have scored two or three goals from them. They have all come from his knowledge of working with Peter (Leven).

“Hopefully, we can score a few more. Dante takes every bit of credit. It’s all him, it’s not much about Pete. It is all him.”

Aberdeen have ‘real togetherness’

Clarkson has been in and out of the Aberdeen team this season as Jimmy Thelin uses the full capacity of his squad.

He’s only started four times in the Premiership but is doing his bit from the bench when called upon during games.

And he says everyone is playing a part in the current success of the Pittodrie side regardless of how many minutes they get or whether they start or contribute off the bench.

Clarkson added: “It is difficult but the most important thing is that the team is doing well. There is not one player in the squad who is not performing.

“Even the lads who aren’t starting are coming on and putting on performances that are worthy of starts. We just have that real togetherness of the squad, regardless of whether you are starting, coming off or coming on.

“I know if I come off at 60 minutes then there is somebody else who will come on and give it their all and be in good form.”