James Maddison says he played through the scenario of scoring a last-minute winner before he accomplished the feat in Aberdeen's 2-1 win over Rangers.

The dynamic midfielder joined the Dons on loan from Norwich where he has settled quickly with an array of impressive performances, including a showcase in the 3-1 win over Dundee at Dens Park.

The starlet bolstered his standing with the Pittodrie faithful even further when he came off the bench to slam home a spectacular free-kick against Rangers in added time.

And the Coventry youth product insists that the wonder strike was a case of turning dreams into reality.

Speaking after the match he said: "That's what you dream of in the build up to the game and obviously there was a lot of hype surrounding the game.

"You go through scenarios in your head - well I do anyway - about scoring the winning goal late on and [for it to happen] like that, obviously I'm buzzing with it.

"It's just a great feeling to score the winner in such a massive game.

"At the end of the day it's only three points but it feels like a lot more than that just because of the hype and the press surrounding the game. I'm really delighted."

Maddison's free-kick in the first minute of added time sent the Pittodrie crowd wild and backed up his bid to be a regular starter for Derek McInnes' side.

Asked if he believed he was capable of grabbing the winner in such a fashion, the Norwich loanee was confident in his ability, saying: "Well of course.

"I went on to change the game, because obviously the first half wasn't good enough the gaffer thought.

"It was a tough game to come on to. It was 100 miles per hour, it was a really quick game and obviously the atmosphere was electric.

"It was a really hard game to come on to but I knew at 1-1 if we got a chance to win it -- and we did with the free kick and I was happy to play my part in that."

As far as set piece responsibilities are concerned at Pittodrie, Maddison was glad to see team-mate Niall McGinn subbed off.

"I was always going to take it," he said. "Me and Niall McGinn actually have a bit of banter about who takes free kicks because we practice together and stuff but he wasn't on the pitch so I didn't have him chirping in my ear. So yeah, I was always going to take that one.

Asked if he felt nervous standing over the ball in they dying embers of the game, the 19-year-old replied: "No. I don't get nervous.

"I was confident in myself and my ability and that I'd be able to stick it away, and thankfully I did."