Connor was selected for a Scotland U20 squad, along with Lewis Ferguson and Bruce Anderson, which has travelled to Murcia, Spain and on Saturday they will play an international friendly against Turkey. The Dons striker spoke to the redmatchday editor before heading off to meet up with his Scott Gemmill’s side.

“I was called up to the Scotland U19s once, and before then, I was involved with all the younger age groups, 16s and 17s, and played in the Victory Shield. I am always pleased to be called up and a bit surprised to be honest. It wasn’t something that had crossed my mind, but I was delighted to be involved again at international level.

“The number of players we had away during the last international break highlights the quality and strength we have within the squad at the club at the moment. There is a really good mix between young and experienced players and that is going to be so important as the season goes on, especially next month where we play nine games.

“I was out of the picture for a while with my injuries. I had a number of recurring injuries which I could not get sorted. It’s been a very frustrating couple of years for me as a result. I have just been concentrating on trying to get my injury problems sorted and credit to the physios and the sport science guys for helping me as much as they did.

“The time I had out on loan at Brechin was so beneficial. Although things did not go to plan in the Championship with them, I really benefited from playing with some good pros and playing week in week out. I learned so much from that. I then took that knowledge into the u20s when I came back from my loan spell and hopefully I can put it into practice in the first team.

“The St Mirren goal, you can’t really explain it or put the feeling into words. It was great looking at the photos of the goal, seeing the pictures of the crowd in the background. It used to be me sitting amongst them, so that was a bit surreal.

“It would be unbelievable to play some part in the cup final. It is going to be a massive occasion and hopefully we can win the cup. I have played at Hampden and scored so that maybe that will help! Playing in the final would obviously be unbelievable, but as an Aberdeen fan just being part of an Aberdeen winning cup side would be the stuff of dreams.”

15/11/18
SCOTLAND U20 TRAINING
MURCIA – SPAIN
Scotland’s Connor McLennan