Shayden Morris revelling in warmth of Aberdeen public after winning club award

Shayden Morris is revelling in the warmth of the Aberdeen public after capping an impressive turnaround in fortunes by landing the club’s Player of the Year award.

The 23-year-old winger had a difficult first two years at Pittodrie but he feels he has “won over” supporters after becoming a key player under Jimmy Thelin this term.

Morris’ rise in status was highlighted on Thursday night when he was named player of the year.

“I think it’s probably the biggest achievement I’ve achieved so far in my career,” he said ahead of the trip to St Mirren on Saturday. “It’s a massive, massive moment for me and my family. For it to be voted by the fans is a massive feeling, because it hasn’t always been easy times.

“I feel like I have got a lot of love in the city now. I’m going out every day, there’s people coming up to me wanting pictures and wanting to speak, so it is different from before. I’ve always believed in myself from day one, but you do have to win people over sometimes in football and in your career.

“Everyone’s job, you can believe in yourself, but you have to show it. I do understand I needed to show it, but just to have the platform to show it was what I needed. I always had my family and my faith in God there for me, so I knew as soon as I got that chance, I would take it.

“So yeah, now I’m walking around with a big smile on my face.”

Morris still feels he has plenty of scope to improve.

“I’m enjoying my football this season, I’m enjoying where we are in the league, I’m enjoying being in a cup final to finish off the season, so I’m really excited,” he said.

“I think I’m really coming out of my shell this season. I’m nowhere near what I know I can get to, and I think I can still come more out of my shell. It’s exciting to know I’ve got a massive award, I’ve had a good season, but there’s still a lot more to come.”

Morris’ current deal expires at the end of next season and he indicated he would be open to extending it.

“I’m really happy at Aberdeen, so of course it’s something I’ll be thinking of,” said the former Fleetwood attacker. “But right now my aim is just to finish this season as strong as possible. I want to bring a trophy back to Aberdeen, and I want to finish in Europe, so that’s my full focus right now.”