Liverpool youngster Danny Ward feels that he has certainly benefited from a loan spell at Aberdeen and is now ready to battle for a spot in the first team at Anfield.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper spent the first half of the season on loan at Pittodrie, where he impressed with 13 clean sheets in all competitions and was called back by the Reds as a result.
The young talent now insists that he is closer to being the number 1 at his club and he will be ready to jump in whenever he is needed to do so. The first team experience with the Dons, according to Ward, has helped him handle pressure and he will now utilise it for Jurgen Klopp's side.
"The loan spell was something Liverpool and myself felt was needed as I had not played much first-team football coming into this season", Ward told his club's official website.
"I feel I am nearer that No.1 spot now. [Playing] gives you the experience of pressure situations that you cannot get in training.
relatedNewsStory
"You mature in good games and hopefully it will stand me in good stead. Winning my first cap will help in that regard too. But I do not want to settle for one, I want to get as many as I possibly can."
Ward also took time to speak about the prospect of picking up a Scottish Premiership winner's medal if his former side are able to lift the trophy at the end of the season, which he believes would be quite an achievement for him at this juncture of his career.
"I really enjoyed myself up there and if they win it I get an SPL winner's medal – and that would not be too bad to take home."
Aberdeen are currently placed second in the Scottish Premiership table, trailing league leaders Celtic by four points, having played one more match.
