'He's an absolute brute' - Leeds United striker Ryan Edmondson makes Aberdeen debut against Rangers

The Whites are looking at a contract extension for the England Under 19 forward, but in order to give him first team football sent him on loan to the Dons until January.

Edmondson, still just 19, was thrown straight into action today by Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes during the second half of their game at home to Rangers.

Despite showing glimpses of his hold up play and physicality, Edmondson was unable to prevent a 1-0 defeat to Steven Gerrard's men.

Those glimpses did impress the BBC Radio Scotland commentary team however.

Former Rangers and Southampton attacker Neil McCann remarked on Edmondson's stature as the youngster replaced Bruce Anderson up front.

"He looks a monster, he's a huge, huge man. He looks an absolute brute," said McCann.

And Edmondson soon lived up to that billing, heading clear a corner and flattening Rangers centre-half Connor Goldson.

At the other end he was keen to get involved on the ball and impressed former Scotland defender and Aberdeen legend Willie Miller.

"I like the look of him," he said.

"He's all action, not just a big targetman who holds it up and then just lumbers into the box. He's making sharp runs after he lays it off, he's getting really aggressive contact with centre-backs, spinning and wanting to run into channels."

Edmondson made a number of runs into the channels to give Aberdeen an outlet and on one occasion won a corner off James Tavernier from which Ash Taylor headed wide.

He was brought to Pittodrie to provide cover for the injured Sam Cosgrove and BBC commentator Liam McLeod feels today's cameo was a promising start.

"We don't know his goal scoring prowess as yet but on this showing, he's going to be more than an able deputy for Sam Cosgrove," said McLeod.

The man he most needed to impress seemed satisfied, too.

McInnes revealed that Edmondson might have started the game had the move been concluded earlier.

"I thought when young Ryan came on we had a bit more physical presence out there," he said.

"We were trying to get the deal done earlier in the week after Sam's news on Tuesday, but a combination of a few things meant we couldn't get him up. If he had trained maybe a couple of days earlier we might have considered a start.

"He's got phyiscal attributes, he scores goals at his own level. He's now going to have an opportunity to make an impact with us. I don't think their centre-halves enjoyed the game as much in the second half. He's got a part to play."