Del strikes it rich with options up front

Derek McInnes has pinned Aberdeen’s title hopes squarely on Adam Rooney for the past two seasons.

But the Pittodrie boss insists the Dons will not be a one-man band up top when it comes to a third Premiership tilt.

Rooney netted 19 goals last season before a thigh strain left the Reds relying solely on loan striker Simon Church.

McInnes moved quickly this summer to avoid a repeat with ex-Bournemouth star Jayden Stockley, Swindon attacker Miles Storey and Bristol City ace Wes Burns brought in to ease the burden.

And with service coming from wide men Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn, the Aberdeen boss believes his side can pose a potent threat to other top-flight teams.

He said: “Rooney has been so important to us. He has been a brilliant signing. But I’m going to go with two strikers a lot more this season.

“I’ve been too dependent on Rooney. His injury at the start of February highlighted that.

“We brought in Simon to share the load but then it all fell on to him when Adam was injured and out for the season. A club like Aberdeen should have more than one or two strikers.

“Other teams have four strikers. We now have two brilliant wide players in Hayes and McGinn, we’ve got Storey and Burns, who can play off the side, and we have Rooney and Stockley too.

“It’s a good six front players to choose from and they’ve all got different strengths.

“For three years it has been Hayes, McGinn and Rooney at the top end of the pitch. All the signings we’ve made is to ease the workload and demands on them to constantly be at their best.”