After Aberdeen moved into seventh place and extended their unbeaten league run to seven games, Leighton Clarkson heaped praise on the job done by Peter Leven.

“Since he’s been in, he’s given me the licence to go and express myself. There’s been times this season where it’s been a bit restricted, but he’s completely put the confidence back into me. He’s done a brilliant job. It’s so hard to come in after the other managers and it’s probably the worst time to try and pick the lads up. But he’s given us that platform to go and express ourselves.

“The manager’s been telling me to shoot a lot more. I scored some good goals last year and this year it’s just not quite clicked. I don’t shoot enough, he told me that before the game, and today I had an opportunity to do that and it came off.

“He’s always the last one on the training pitch, doing extra work with the boys and trying to develop the players. He always helps me with free-kicks and stuff like that. He gives his time into making us better players. He’s big on that. He’s put his stamp on the game and how he wants to play and I thought we carried that out really well.”

Leighton made way for Fletcher Boyd in the final few minutes and had some advice for the 16-year-old as they crossed on the touchline.

“Fletcher is such a great kid. He looked a little bit shy and stuff like that, but we put our arm around him. I said to him before we went on, ‘Just go and express yourself with confidence.’ He did that and the fans helped him as well. They were chanting his name for the majority of the last 10 minutes and the goal was the cherry on the cake for him.

“I’ve seen glimpses of him all through the year when he’s been training with us. He’s a good talent and he’s only 16 years old. He couldn’t have asked for a better day. His family must be so proud and everyone at Aberdeen Football Club is proud of him. He was buzzing afterwards. He’s 16, just scored his first professional goal and that’s what he’s been dreaming of. It’s his club and I’m just so happy for him.”