Leighton Clarkson reveals Aberdeen aim and lifts lid on work behind stunning strike

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Aberdeen have stopped the rot that threatened to derail their season and are still in the mix for third.

The Dons were impressive during their 4-1 win over Motherwell which keeps them on the coattails of Hibs in the fight for third and meant they’ve only lost one of their last six league games.

Standing out was Kevin Nisbet with two goals, including a stunning striker, and manager Jimmy Thelin discussed his hopes of Nisbet signing permanently after his loan from Millwall.

But Leighton Clarkson was another classy performer on the day and also hit the net with a piledriver, trumped only by his teammate.

The midfielder spoke post-match about that goal as well as hopes for the rest of the season.

• READ MORE: Jimmy Thelin speaks honestly about his personal and professional Aberdeen relationship with Dave Cormack

Clarkson and Aberdeen want to be in Europe

Aberdeen are one of the clubs who start each season targeting that coveted third spot in the Premiership and their start to the campaign suggested they were on course for it.

They’re still in the mix but Hibs’ form means the Easter Road men are favourites for it, although they currently hold a point lead over their rivals.

Clarkson admits third was the aim at the start of the season but, after securing top six with their return to form, the Dons will be happy enough to return to Europe.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	31	25	3	3	92	20	72	78
2	RangersRangers	31	20	5	6	66	31	35	65
3	HibernianHibernian	31	12	11	8	48	41	7	47
4	AberdeenAberdeen	31	13	7	11	42	47	-5	46
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	31	12	8	11	39	40	-1	44
6	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	31	11	6	14	43	43	0	39

He told the post-match press conference: “Obviously, at the start of the season, you’d think third, but you want to push as high as possible.

“At this point now, we’ve got the top six secure, but it’s just about winning as many games as possible, getting third and getting back into Europe. It is, it’s massive.

“It’s something that us footballers, when we come to Aberdeen, we get told that’s what we’re fighting for.

“We want to be playing in the European games, there’s a lot more eyes on yourselves as a club, financially it’ll do a lot as well for the club.

“So it’s massive to get Europe, but there’s a long, long way to go, we just need to chip away with as many points as possible.”

Clarkson on Dons stunner vs Motherwell

The 23-year-old revealed his stunning strike was also straight off the training ground after work with first-team coach Peter Leven.

A short corner was taken to Ante Palaversa, who then worked it to his midfield partner and he did the rest.

Clarkson added: “It was something we worked on.

“I was meant to hit it first time, but I had to take a touch. I tried it on Friday in training and it didn’t come off. (Where did it go?) Row Z I think.

“So luckily enough it went in. Yes, Pete (Leven) is on set-pieces. Obviously, he’ll look at the opposition and where he thinks they might be a bit weak.

“It was just me on the edge and we knew the player would go over when we took two out, so he left me free and it was just about aiming for that corner.”