Jamie Langfield insists he is ready for the challenge of remaining first-choice goalkeeper with the Dons.
Langfield has a new rival for next season following the close-season arrival of Scott Brown.
While welcoming the addition of Brown to the Reds squad, Langfield is in no mood to relinquish his position. He said: “Scott is coming to a massive club and will put me under pressure. I welcome the challenge and I know if I don’t maintain my standards we have a good goalkeeper waiting to take my place.”
Langfield expects goalkeeper coach Jim Leighton to help welcome Brown into the fold and has told Brown he will enjoy working with the former Scotland international shotstopper.
He said: “Scott will enjoy working with Jim. We’ve got a good goalkeeper fraternity here and I’m sure it will continue.”
Langfield, 34, believes he is reaching the peak of his career after enjoying what he regards as the most consistent season of his time at Pittodrie.
He said: “I’ve always been a good shotstopper and I think I command my area quite well. I used to get slaughtered for my kicking but I set up four last season when no other goalkeeper managed one assist.
“I’m 34 and I’m always learning and hopefully next season I’ll improve even more.
“Last season was my best in terms of the way I played and how I felt. The manager and coaching staff believe in me and Jim Leighton worked me as hard as ever.
“Jim said it was my best season but the level has been set now. People always say goalkeepers get better the older they get and I do feel that.”