Ante Palaversa admitted he got emotional after his dramatic late Aberdeen winner because it had been almost two years in the making.
The talented Croat came off the bench to net with two minutes to go to break Hearts and make it 13 wins on the spin for Jimmy Thelin’s on-form side. Palaversa has been troubled by injury and lack of game time at French side Troyes and that was a big factor in his decision to make the switch to Pittodrie in the last window.
The playmaker has already impressed and his weekend goal was his first since he scored for Troyes in a narrow 4-3 defeat to Paris St-Germain back in October 2022. His strike proved to be the final goal of that game but was nothing more than a consolation as the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe had already put the French giants in the driving seat.
Palaversa said: “To be honest, it was emotional when I scored the last goal. I have been working hard these last two years to be where I am right now. The boys have welcomed me so well and the supporters are so good. I am so happy and proud to be here. I wish and hope we continue like this.”
The 24-year-old feels very much at home in his short time at Pittodrie. It has helped that they have won all 13 games this season and confidence is high. Palaversa reckons there is a real team spirit at Aberdeen and that was a major factor in his weekend winner.
Palaversa stated:“I feel very, very good and very happy. First of all because we win and the team and the team spirit. If there was no team spirit then I wouldn’t score the goal.
“If it wasn’t the run from Duk and the touch from Ester then I wouldn’t score the goal. All congratulations to the team, I am just so happy.”
Thelin and his squad, who are not away on international duty, will get the chance to recharge the batteries and to get set to go again for the top of the table clash with Celtic. Palaversa is adamant that now has his sole focus.
The midfielder, speaking to RedTV, stated: “I will be preparing for the next game and never losing focus. We are dealing with the first place in the table. You can’t lose focus in the head and it is just to continue.”
“I am coming from a club in Croatia (Hajduk Split) who is also winning. Also, I have experience when I was in the younger generation. I also have experience when you are losing so you have to keep that balance.”