Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has hailed the impact defensive enforcer Anthony O’Connor has made since arriving at Pittodrie.
The Irish defender joined the Dons from Burton Albion in the summer and has been a standout for the Reds with solid showings against St Johnstone, Ayr United and Hearts.
O’Connor, capped at under-21 level by his country, has impressed in the heart of the Aberdeen defence, playing alongside both Ash Taylor and Mark Reynolds.
McInnes believes the combative defender brings added steel to his line-up.
He said: “He’s a good competitor. He likes and embraces the challenge as we have seen in the games he has played.
“He’s done well and his attraction is that aggression and that he can play right across the back four and in the middle of the park.
“He’ll bring good composure wherever you play him and he’ll also give you that aggression.
“He likes to show he’s a competitor.
“We already have two smaller full backs and then with Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes we have four boys of a certain size but who all have got real quality.
“Too often last season we were giving away too much at set-plays, so, hopefully, the recruitment of Anthony, Joe Lewis in goals, Jayden Stockley and Wes Burns will provide us with a bit more height.
“We’ll not turn into the land of the giants or anything like that but we’re making sure we’re more prepared to be pushed about.”
