IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

Leven hands Reds playmaker fresh start

- BY SCOTT BURNS

LEIGHTON CLARKSON'S time at Pittodrie looked to be over... until Peter Leven returned as Aberdeen interim boss.

Now the caretaker has brought the playmaker back into his plans in an effort to exploit his “vision and calmness”.

The 24-year-old seemed guaranteed to exit in this window after being marginalised under former manager Jimmy Thelin.

Clarkson came off the bench at Ibrox nine days ago under Leven, then started the weekend return with Rangers.

Now he looks likely to play a central role in the Scottish Cup fourth-round clash with Raith on Sunday.