Del: My flying squad can hit new heights
Dons boss says earning a shirt will now be the norm
DEREK McINNES says the days of players being gifted an Aberdeen jersey rather than gaining one are finished.
The Pittodrie boss has recruited Ross McCrorie, Jonny Hayes, Tommie Hoban, Marley Watkins and Ryan Edmondson in this transfer window.
McInnes knows he has strength in depth now and believes that competition will help push his side on to new heights.
Aberdeen are on a fourgame winning streak, losing just one goal in that spell.
That is despite their bench at Hibs last Sunday looking like a first team in its own right, with Niall McGinn, Shay Logan, Dylan McGeouch and Curtis Main among the subs.
And last season’s top scorer Sam Cosgrove, Craig Bryson and on-loan Edmondson are still to return from injury.
McInnes believes his squad will be tested to the limit as they play catch-up due to coronavirus-related call-offs on top of last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic and a trip to Viking Stavanger, then potentially Sporting Lisbon, in Europe. He said: “There is going to be a need and a demand on the squad. That is when we are at our best – when we are really tested by the fixtures and find a way to deal with them. “Having players fit
and available – and having luck on the injury front – is going to be key.
“I am happy with the squad we have put together and the motivation and spirit within it. Hopefully now we are through the troubles we can focus on winning games and trying to improve players and the situation here.
“I felt last season too many times a lot of the players were going back in through necessity rather than having earned it all the time.
“The injuries had a real impact on what we could do.
“Healthy competition has always been good for us. When we have had our best spells and campaigns, we have always had good competition and a strength in the squad.
“It has never been about individuals with us. We have had good individual players but the strength has been in the squad. Hopefully that will be the case again this season.”
Ryan Hedges attracted interest over the summer only to be a stand-out for the Reds with a Europa League hat-trick sandwiched between his first two league starts.
McInnes added: “We have centre-halves who can play full-back and full-backs who can play centre-back. Look at our midfield, we have youth and experience, good ball carriers and speed on the side.
“Scott Wright is coming back and the form of Ryan has been a real bonus.
“We do have those forward options that a club like Aberdeen should have.”