RED OR DEAD
Ross: New boys must prove they can handle weight of expectation at Dons
ROSS McCRORIE says Aberdeen’s new boys must prove they are capable of living up to the club’s high expectations.
The 24-year-old admits last season was nowhere near good enough as the Dons finished 10th in the Premiership.
Jim Goodwin has set about turning their fortunes around with a rebuild.
North Macedonian striker Bojan Miovski and Albanian midfielder Ylber Ramadani have been snapped up from MTK Budapest.
Defenders Liam Scales, Jayden Richardson and Anthony Stewart join them, so too Dutch keeper Kelle Roos from Derby.
And McCrorie has warned the new boys will be under pressure this season.
He said: “There have been a few signings, which is good because we needed new players. The squad is looking stronger.
“I’m sure they will be good enough to help us and improve us as a team. Any time a player comes to a big club like Aberdeen they have to prove themselves.
“The existing players have to prove themselves too.
“We need help this season and need to bring players in to improve on last season.
“There has been a big transition as a lot of players are away and a lot have come in
“Last year wasn’t good enough. A club like Aberdeen should be aiming up at the top end of the table and that’s what we’re looking to do this season.”
Goodwin’s squad travel to Spain today for a preseason training camp.
And McCrorie added: “There are new challenges. We have our targets for the year we’ve set as a team and will try to do as best we can.
“Aberdeen shouldn’t be anywhere near the bottom six. It’s up to us to put it right and we want to get the top end of the table.”
The club are locked in talks with Connor Barron over a new deal.
The Scotland Under-21 star partnered McCrorie in midfield as Aberdeen kicked off their pre-season with a 2-1 victory over Buckie Thistle on Saturday.
Barron has been linked with a move to Celtic and the Dons are keen to tie down the 19-year-old beyond his current contract, which expires in 2024. McCrorie added: “It’s up to the club to try to sort that.
“Wee Baz has been exceptional since he came in and I get on really well with him.
“It’s up to him. The club will handle that and wee Baz will handle that.
“He has settled in and belongs in there.”
Matty Kennedy and Christian Ramirez, from the penalty spot, got the goals as the Dons beat Highland League opposition.
And McCrorie said: “That was the first game back after just over a week’s training and it was good to get the legs going again.
“It didn’t really matter about the result against Buckie Thistle.
“It was 45 minutes in the legs. We all had a programme that sports scientist Graham Kirk sorted out for us.
“The gaffer was watching as well and all the boys have come back in good shape.
“You only get a week or two off and then you’re straight back into it.
“Even during the break you’re still trying to better yourself.”
We need help this season and to bring players in to improve on last year ROSS McCRORIE IS GLAD TO SEE A BIG TURNAROUND