Shayden Morris is determined to become an Aberdeen star rather than their super sub.
The flying wide man is making a major impact under Jimmy Thelin off the bench but wants to push to become a regular starter. Morris made a massive contribution in 3-3 draw at Hibs on Tuesday and now he wants to make a similar impact on the opposite side of the capital on Sunday against Hearts.
Morris stated: “I just make sure that I take every game the same way so that I am ready to do what I can do whether that’s starting or a sub. I know that I’ve been called a super-sub but I want to be a super player instead of a super-sub. I do like the role I’m doing as I’ll do anything to help the team but of course I want to be a star. I think I really know my strengths now as I maybe lacked confidence before but I know how I can help the team.”
The former Fleetwood player has transformed himself from Pittodrie boo boy to a big favourite of the Red Army under Thelin. Morris admitted: “I’m really proud of myself and what I’ve done to get back playing, doing well and helping the team.
“A massive part of what I said when I joined Aberdeen was that I wanted to do what I could to help the team. I do feel that I’m having a big positive impact as far as that goes at the moment.
“One thing I always say to myself is “don’t get too high on the highs and too low on the lows. I’m enjoying the moment but I’m just making sure that I’m staying level headed.”
Aberdeen will be looking to strengthen their grip on second place after a defeat at St Mirren and the disappointment of losing a 96th minute leveller against Hibs. Morris acknowledged: “I know we only got one point in the week against St Mirren and Hibs, we are disappointed with that.
“But it is fine margins and we could have drawn at Paisley and won at Easter Road so we need to bounce back.That’s why we need three points against Hearts on Sunday to get back to winning ways.
“We want to continue to improve on the amazing way we’ve started this season. We can’t forget the number of games we’ve come back to win already when we’ve dug in to the end.
“I’m not going to say this couple of games is a dip and we have to change our mentality. We still have a lot of faith in our ability and what we can go on to do this season.”
Morris put in the cross for Ester Sokler’s goal that looked to be the winner before Rocky Bushiri dramatically cancelled it out at the death. The winger admitted: “It was the best minute of some peoples lives at that moment as the scenes were unreal.
“We enjoyed that but it didn’t last too long and we’ve looked back to see what we should have done better. Football’s all about fine margins at times and at Hibs it was three points down to one in just seconds. We know what it’s like but we’ve scored a few important late goals ourselves this season.”
The good thing is Aberdeen have already beaten Hearts at Pittodrie and will be looking to make it a double by finally burying their Tynecastle hoodoo, which last saw them win there in 2017. He added: We know where they are in the league but we will give them every respect. After all, they came to Pittodrie earlier in the season and gave us a really good game.”