Erik Sviatchenko is now an Aberdeen FC transfer agent, and the former Celtic star gives Stefan Gartenmann the dirt.
The former Glasgow defender had some words of encouragement for the Dons’ new signing.
Stefan Gartenmann claims Erik Sviatchenko flipped the salesperson switch on his Aberdeen switch.
The defender revealed that the former Celtic player had a significant influence on his loan move from Midtjylland. They were teammates in Denmark, and when Barry Robson came knocking on the final day of the transfer window, he turned to the Houston Dynamo defense. “He told me great things about Scottish football,” Gartenmann remarked. We’re both the same style of player, so I’m hoping I’ll fit in as well as he did. He recommended Aberdeen to me.”
The 26-year-old made his debut against Hearts last weekend before impressing in the Dons’ Europa Conference League group opener against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. Gartenmann believes they had the highly regarded Germans on the ropes, and the biggest disappointment was that they did not return with something. “There is no doubt it has been a difficult start to the season,” he remarked.
“Our performance on Thursday demonstrated that we have a very strong team.” It demonstrated our strength when we were seated in the away dressing room in Frankfurt, disappointed that we had not taken anything. We felt obligated to steal something.
“Frankfurt is a top team, and they were a little nervous at the end.” We had the upper hand in the final 15 to 20 minutes. We should be quite proud of our performance.”
The Bundesliga cracks came back to win 2-1, and Gartenmann explained, “We went in with the game plan to keep it tight as long as possible.” We know we can’t compete for 90 minutes with them.
“We needed to take breaks, stay in shape, and frustrate them.” It was quite irritating to play against us, and you could see for long stretches that they didn’t know how to play against us. We were really good on the counter-attack, and if we can improve our ball position, we can do very well.”
The Dane knows Aberdeen received a lot of plaudits for their performance, but now they must turn it into points, beginning with tomorrow’s home game against Ross County and the return of the Viaplay Cup in Dingwall.
“We have to do it against Ross County,” the centre-half stated. You could argue that getting up for the Frankfurt game in front of 50,000 people is simple, but if we can’t do it in front of our own fans against Ross County, it won’t matter. We need to focus on home issues and start winning games. Points are important right now.”
Gartenmann believes Robson’s team is making strides as they look for their first clean sheet in nine outings against County.
“We have some really good defenders in the team,” he added, “but we need to get to know each other.” We may also set that aside as we get to know each other as new players. We should be competent and professional enough to have a solid foundation to build on. When that clean sheet arrives, it will demonstrate how far we have come.”
Gartenmann has shown he is not afraid of a physical challenge and believes the Scottish game will fit him wonderfully. “I love it here,” he said. It’s highly muscular and intense.
“I am as well, and I am not the most attractive player.” The duels, headers, and tackles are my favorites. I’m hoping to establish myself as a reliable player for a long time.”
