Aberdeen defender Alfie Dorrington feels he can be even better than last season

Alfie Dorrington reckons he will be an even better defender for Aberdeen this season than he was in his fruitful loan stint last term.

The 20-year-old made 16 appearances for the Dons after joining from Tottenham in January, with the last of those a standout display in the stunning Scottish Cup final triumph over Celtic in May.

Dorrington returned to Aberdeen last month on a season-long loan and he believes his experience of playing in the Premiership last season can help him kick on to new heights.

“Yes, 100 per cent,” he said. “I felt every game I was improving with the run of games, which helped me become more confident.

“At first, I was just trying to settle in. But then, when you feel like you get the trust of the team, the fans, the staff, I think it brings out a new side to my game.”

Dorrington was delighted to get the chance to return to Aberdeen.

“I just loved it so much,” he said of last season’s spell at Pittodrie. “I got a good run of games towards the end of the season and finished on a high.

“I just want to build more momentum. Obviously, I’m familiar with the boys, the staff, the city. When I found out that I had the opportunity, it was a no-brainer to come back.”

The Dons kick off their league campaign on Monday away to a Hearts side now under the charge of their long-time former manager Derek McInnes.

Jambos defender Frankie Kent is hoping his side, who finished seventh last term, can capitalise on the optimism generated at Tynecastle this summer amid the arrival of McInnes, a raft of new players, and the involvement of Brighton owner Tony Bloom, who is now a minority investor in the club.

“We want to try and get back to the levels that we hit the previous year (when finishing third) and I think the levels that everyone expects and the levels that we know we’re capable of,” said centre-back Kent.

“It’s been touched on so many times that last year wasn’t good enough and it wasn’t what we wanted. But it’s a fresh start, it’s a new season and a season to be excited about.”