The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dons open new talks with Rangers target
Club looks to make new deal with Kenny Mclean
Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes says the club has begun talks on a new deal with Rangers target Kenny Mclean.
The Ibrox side had a £300,000 bid rejected in June for the former St Mirren player, who has entered the final year of his contract and will be free to sign a precontract agreement with another club in January.
Irish central defender Anthony O’connor is also in the final 12 months of his deal.
Mcinnes says the club is keen to agree extensions with both players.
He said: “We have spoken to Kenny and Anthony, who are out of contract, as well as one or two of the younger ones.
“These things can take a bit longer but we are in discussions.
“I’m sure we will try to find a way to make both happen if possible.
“If we can’t then we will deal with it and move on.”
Ryan Jack, Niall Mcginn, Ash Taylor and Peter Pawlett all left Pittodrie as free agents at the end of last season.
Mcinnes said: “Every one of them except Peter and Niall gave us every encouragement in January they still wanted to be here.
“If players tell you they don’t want to sign, then that is different.
“I thought we did all we could. “I don’t think we would have done anything differently.”
Mcinnes, meanwhile, admitted he was frustrated to see his side’s conquerors Apollon Limassol begin their Europa League group stage campaign against Lyon last night.
The Dons were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by the Cypriots.
He said: “I felt we should have beaten Limassol.
“Seeing them in the Europa League heightens the frustrations. But it shows me we are getting closer to realising that ambition of playing in the group stages.
“It would have made a difference if our team had been a bit more settled going into those games.
“Apollon Limassol have qualified for the group stages three times out of the last five.
“We have no divine right to beat these teams but I still felt we missed an opportunity.”
The Dons are likely to be without Gary Mackay-steven for tomorrow’s meeting with Kilmarnock at Pittodrie.
The former Celtic player is a doubt after injuring his ankle in training yesterday.
Midfielder Greg Tansey is also unlikely to feature due to a groin injury.
“Wehaveno divine right to beat these teams but I still felt we missed an opportunity. DEREK MCINNES
Lee Mcculloch’s Kilmarnock have made a slow start to the season, taking just one point from their opening five matches.
However, Mcinnes, whose Aberdeen side are unbeaten and currently second in the league, expects Mcculloch to get his players firing before long.
“You see a lot of teams have slow starts and Kilmarnock have probably the biggest turnaround in players (in the league),” he said.
“I think Lee has probably made the most signings (14) and with that comes that extra responsibility to try and find that understanding, so that may be a factor.
“But when you look at the squad, they have some good players. Last year they picked up some very good results on the road and I think they’ll be confident coming here.
“Their home form has maybe not been as good as it can be, but they’re a team who possess good qualities. They have goals in them and good experience at the back now especially.
“They’re a team who on their day, as with many in the league, can give you problems.”
He added: “The onus will be on us to get on the ball and try to make things happen. If we do that we can play at a tempo that suits us and we’re capable of, so hopefully we can bring that level of performance and intensity to the game.”