TOMMIE Hoban is ready and willing to face Burnley a little over 24 hours after signing for Aberdeen on loan.
The defender, who is a Watford player, has been training with his new club for and a deal that for a few days looked dead was resurrected late on Tuesday.
And the 24-year-old is ready to make his debut tonight at Pittodrie in what is set to be one of the toughest matches he will play in all season.
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Hoban said: “Burnley is something I’m ready for and really excited to be involved in such a big game. It’s the kind of things you train for and live for as a footballer, and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve played Burnley quite a few times when they were in the Championship but they’ve got quite a different team to then. They had a fantastic season last year so it’s going to be a very tough game, but everyone will be looking forward to it and I’m sure we’ll do well.
"I’m here to play. For myself, but also for Aberdeen and hopefully my performances can help the team and we can have a successful season. Our start probably doesn’t get much tougher, but you’ve got to play the tough games at some stage of the season so might as well get off to a good start.
“I’m sure if we get some positive results during this spell it will fill the team with confidence going into the new season and that can only be a good thing."
Hoban has long been tipped for big things but has suffered horrendous injury problems which he now hopes are behind him.
He said: “I’ve been at Watford since I was 14 and came through the academy there. The club have been great to me over the years and Malky Mackay gave me my debut about seven or eight years ago now.
“Things started really well and I played a lot of games when I was young, but the last few years have been difficult with injuries and I’ve had some bad luck.
"I’m over that now and feeling fit and hopefully can kick start my career. To be at a big club like Aberdeen it’s the perfect place for me to do that.”
Burnley had a less then perfect preparation to their first game of the season after difficulties with their plane.
A club spokesman said: “We have had severe delays on flight north, there have been technical difficulties with the aircraft.
“That means the press conference has been cancelled and the players won’t go to Pittodrie to look at the stadium.
“The team were not going to be training at the stadium anyway but they were going to come for a look around. UEFA have been made aware of the difficulties we’ve faced.”
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