JAMIE HENRY
On Sunday the Aberdeen U20s will play Kilmarnock in the SFA Youth Cup at Pittodrie. KO is at 2.00pm. Please come along and watch the young Dons if you can as all the boys would really appreciate your support.
Aberdeen have won the competition on three occasions – in 1985, 1986 and in 2001 and were runners up in 2003. After years of getting beat in the later stages of the competition, the last two seasons have seen the Dons knocked out in the early rounds, which included a defeat against Sunday’s opponents Kilmarnock. So everyone is keen this year to improve on that record.
The Aberdeen U20s this season have had real injury problems but thankfully things are started to improve. Jamie Henry, who captained the side in the last round against Fraserburgh, missed Tuesday’s win over Partick Thistle but the midfielder has worked tirelessly to make sure he is fit for Sunday.
Jamie previewed the game on Sunday with RedTV: please click here
“I am fit and raring to go. I picked up an injury at the Hibs game recently and it was a bit of a scare as we were concerned it might have been a long term injury. However I went for an X ray and the results came back fine, just really bad bone bruising but nothing more serious.
“I have been getting a lot of treatment and will be ready to come back for the game on Sunday as I am desperate to play.
“With this being my second season as a full time professional it is a big year for me so it important I stay fit and get as many games as I can under my belt before the end of the season.
“From an injury point of view, this season has been a nightmare so far for the team. There have been a lot of injuries, with some long term ones as well. The frustration is that if we get everyone fit it is a really good team. We have got a good squad of players. It is just unfortunate that we have been missing so many boys and some key players for us as well. Hopefully everyone is on the mend now and by Christmas we should have a strong squad again.
“We have used something like 35 players already this season. There have been 9 or 10 U17 players involved but to be fair to them they have done excellent. A few have really showed what they are made of and that bodes well for the team over the next couple of years.
“The boys are all really looking forward to the game. It is great playing at Pittodrie and playing in front of the Aberdeen supporters. We don’t get a chance to play on the pitch that often so when we do it makes it all the more special. We got a decent little crowd in against Fraserburgh in the last round which we were not expecting so that nice. Also in the last league game of last season against Dunfermline when we got presented with the league trophy we got a great crowd in that night and it was fantastic experience.
“The Youth Cup is still very important. It is a very prestigious tournament and properly on a par with the Development League, if not even more important.
“Last year we went out of the Youth Cup early on when we lost to Hibs on penalties. Everyone was very disappointed so we are desperate to have a good run this season. If we can through this tie I think we could do well, especially when we get everyone fit but Sunday will be a very difficult match.
“Kilmarnock are strong at youth level. The Kilmarnock sides that I have played against throughout my time in the Youth Academy and at U20 level last year have all been strong teams. They always play at a good tempo. They will put up a very good test for us.”
RedTV will have highlights of the game on Sunday evening.
