Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes Craig Storie has all the skills required to become a first-team regular at Pittodrie.
The 20-year-old has found first-team opportunities limited due to niggling injuries but the midfielder made a big impression on his first start for the club as the 10-man Dons came from behind to win 3-2 at Ross County on Sunday.
Storie’s display for the Dons justified his manager’s decision to give him his first starting role and McInnes hopes Storie can go on to become an important member of the side in the absence of injured captain Ryan Jack and fellow midfielder Willo Flood due to hamstring injuries.
The Dons manager said: “Craig was excellent at Ross County and there has been a real improvement in him over the last six or seven weeks.
“He’s had a lot of injuries, so has never really had the chance to get going for us. But I have seen a change in him, in his training, lately and the fact he came through 90 minutes of his first start on a heavy pitch shows how hard he’s worked on his fitness.
“I’ve always thought he had the ability and the temperament, so he just needs to stay fit. If he can do that, we have a very good player on our hands and I thought he and Kenny McLean gave us a real platform both defensively and in terms of their passing.”
Storie’s successful stint in the starting 11 was matched by goalkeeper Scott Brown, who made several saves to help the Dons, who had to play for more than an hour with 10 men following Mark Reynolds’ sending-off.
McInnes was delighted to see Brown perform so well on his first appearance for the club this season following the departure of on-loan Danny Ward back to Liverpool last weekend.
He said: “Scott did really well and it says a lot for him that he has gone a long period without getting an opportunity. He recognises Danny Ward’s performances were keeping him out but his professionalism in being game-ready, as he was for Ross County, speaks volumes.
“To make the reaction saves and show the composure in his first game in months says a lot about him. He was excellent.”