What gave Pape Gueye his Aberdeen spark back as loan rescuer sees the smiling assassin he knew in Norway again

Amund Skiri might have done it strictly but he always knew Pape Habib Gueye had all the moves to get back dancing and scoring goals at Aberdeen.

The Senegal forward has been an unlikely hero for the 100 per cent Dons, netting three goals in four games to waltz to the top of the Premiership scoring charts, alongside Cyriel Dessers and Callum McGregor. Skiri played his part as he took him to Kristiansund in March when his former striker was not only out of step but also out of sorts. It looked like it could have been his last dance at Pittodrie.

Gueye was a big-money purchase from KV Kortrijk but had found game time hard to come by. Skiri, who had previously coached him at his first club, Aalesunds, explained: “Pape is full of energy. I still follow him at Aberdeen. He scores goals and dances for the crowd.

“He is back smiling again and enjoying his football. That was the person I knew from Aalesund. That is what we all hoped would happen when we took him to Kristiansund.

“I contacted him in the winter and asked him to come. He thought it was a good idea because he wasn’t playing in Aberdeen. We wanted Pape to come back to Norway to play to restart his football career and to find his best form again. I think he has done that. He is now making an impact at Aberdeen, which is something we all wanted to happen.”

Gueye had always been a big personality but Skiri saw he had lost a bit of that spark. Skiri recalled: “When I spoke to him he was lacking confidence. I know Pape, he is a happy boy and is always smiling. He loves playing football and to train hard.

“I think he had maybe missed that for a period of time before he came back to Norway. I knew him and I didn’t see that spark in his eyes. I told him we were going to