Aberdeen striker Bruce Anderson’s fine debut goal against Rangers on Sunday did not come as a surprise to his former Elgin City manager Gavin Price.
Banff-born attacker Anderson came off the bench to net a dramatic stoppage time equaliser against the Gers, salvaging an opening day Premiership 1-1 draw on his first Reds outing.
It was an impressively composed finish from Anderson, on an afternoon in which Derek McInnes’ side had offered little goalscoring threat.
The 19-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan with the Black and Whites, netting six goals in 14 appearances before returning to Pittodrie in January.
Price says Anderson’s goalscoring instincts left a lasting impression at Borough Briggs, and he said: “I was delighted to see Bruce scoring.
“It was his first taste of senior football with us, but I could see he had an eye for goal.
“He’s a very calm, instinctive finisher. His finishing was probably the thing that impressed me most about him.
“I think he’s progressing the other parts of his game which look to be improving as we speak, as it has got him into the Aberdeen first team.
“He’s a really nice young lad so I’m pleased for him, and I’m glad to see his career progressing in the right way.
“Hopefully there will be more opportunities for him in the first team.”
Price remains open to offering loan opportunities at Elgin for young players attached to full time clubs, adding: “I’m glad if we in any way helped to give Bruce that experience of senior football.
“If we can get players from the likes of Aberdeen, Ross County and Caley Thistle, hopefully it can be a win-win for both clubs.
“They are getting somebody out there to get experience that will improve the player, while for us it’s always a short-term benefit, but the loan system is still an important part of the way lower league football works.”