The keeper talks about his new deal

Danny Rogers

The club is pleased to announced that goalkeeper Danny Rogers has signed a new two year contract.

Danny, who grew up in Dublin, first came across the Irish Sea in 2011. After impressing in the Aberdeen youth side, in December 2013 he joined Airdrieonians on loan for a month, then, in 2014, he signed for Dumbarton on a six-month loan deal which was extended to the end of the season. Making 36 appearances in total for Ian Murray’s side, keeping nine clean sheets, he won their Player of the Year award. Rogers next moved to Falkirk on a loan deal for the whole of the 2015/16 season and was selected in the PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Season. Then two summer’s ago he returned to the Falkirk Stadium for a second season-long loan spell. During which time the Aberdeen goalie was rewarded for his impressive displays when he was called up by Martin O’Neill to the Ireland squad for the World Cup double header against Georgia and Moldova. Danny, who is also eligible for the USA having been born there, had become first pick for his country’s Under-21s after his excellent form for the Bairns. Then last season Danny returned to Pittodrie as back up keeper to Joe Lewis. He made his long awaited Aberdeen debut on the 24th January 2018, coming on as a substitute for the injured Lewis in a 2–0 defeat away to Rangers. Danny then started the subsequent games against Kilmarnock and Ross County, helping the side to claim six points.

The Dons keeper spoke to the RedMatchday Editor: 

“I took my time when making the decision.

“At the end of the day though I always kept having the same feeling, that there is unfinished business here.

“Obviously I want to be the Aberdeen number one. I want to have that jersey one day and I believe that I am closer to making that happen so to leave now would have been a mistake.

“I took my time but I know I have made the right decision.

“I had quite a lot of interest from Scotland and clubs in England. So that was another reason why I took my time, I had to weigh up all my options. But Aberdeen to be fair kept coming back. They were relentless! They made it very clear that they wanted me to stay.

“To get those reassurances for next season and knowing that I am part of the manager’s long term plans is great. It is nice to hear those things. But ultimately, it is up to me. I am the only one who can influence how well I do at the club. I need to keep working hard and to keep improving all the time. 

“Aberdeen Football Club has been a massive part of my life. I love the club and enjoy living in the city. I pretty much grew up here as my teenage years were spent in the North East. I am 24 now and I just feel that I am close to being that number one. I did not want to leave Pittodrie then spend the rest of my career thinking about what might have been.

“I did not want to spend all this time here and then leave without doing what I came here from Ireland to do.”

Although Danny only made his first team debut four months ago, he’s actually a Pittodrie veteran having signed his first professional contract with Aberdeen in July 2011.

Plenty of water has passed under the bridge since then, during which time the Republic of Ireland U21 International has worked under three different managers and seen these keepers fight it out for the first team jersey – Jamie Langfield, Jason Brown, David Gonzalez, Dan Twardzik, Nicky Weaver, Scott Brown, Danny Ward, Neil Alexander, Joe Lewis and Freddie Woodman. Andrew Considine is the only player who has been here longer.

“It took long enough to make my debut! Finally! It was not the best circumstances with Joe being carried off and then losing the game to Rangers. I think more about the Kilmarnock game to be honest, with it being my full debut and with me playing my first game for the first team at Pittodrie. That was a special moment and something I will remember for a long time. It was a very good win as well, an important win. I thought I did ok in both the games against Kilmarnock and up at Ross County.

“You realise then how big a club it is when you do play in the games. The number of people that would want to come up and speak to me on the street or would send me messages on social media was incredible. Appreciating that also played a major part in me signing a new deal. Also all the Aberdeen fans have been really supportive towards me.

“I feel that although I have not had a lot of minutes this season I have definitely improved as a goalkeeper. That was another reason as well. I felt that when I was out on loan the previous season my performances plateaued a bit. I feel that I have got an awful lot better working with Gordon Marshall day to day and learning from Joe and also Freddie. I don’t see why that won’t happen again next year.

“The standard in training is so good. The quality in the squad gets better and better every season and it will happen again this summer. Yes I want to be playing games but I know I still need to be doing the best I can in training. As I say I do feel that I have got better even although I have not played.”

Danny, like the rest of the squad, now heads off for a well-earned break, but the keeper is already thinking ahead.

“It would have been the first season that I could have left on a free because of the compensation rule. Therefore I could have waited to see what my options were over the summer but I preferred to get my future sorted so I can go and relax now and make sure I get a decent rest and then I can come back fully refreshed and raring to go for pre-season.”

 

Congratulations Danny on your new deal and all the best for next season.