From trip to Dubai to visit by Dumbarton

Aberdeen’s Ryan Hedges hopes the benefits of Dubai are not undone by Dumbarton.

The Dons enjoyed warm-weather training during the winter break in preparation for the second half of the season.

A William Hill Scottish Cup fourthround tie against Jim Duffy’s League One side is first up.

Hedges, who joined the Granite City club on a three-year contract from Barnsley last summer, is keen to see off the challenge of the Sons today without too much trouble.

The 24-year-old Wales winger told Aberdeen’s official website: “The break was a good time to have a bit of downtime and recharge the batteries.

“We are all back here now focused on the job at hand, and that is to get through this round in the cup,” he said.

“I have been on the wrong side of cup upsets in my career. I remember when I was at Yeovil we lost to Solihull on penalties, which wasn’t nice, so I know how that feels.

“I have also played at Wembley against Tottenham in the League Cup and that was a great feeling.”

Boss Derek Mcinnes has added midfielder Dylan Mcgeouch to his squad after signing the Scotland international from Sunderland.

St Johnstone midfielder Matty

Kennedy will join up in the summer after signing a pre-contract agreement. Hedges welcomed the competition. He said: “It pushes the lads to prove that they should be playing.

“When Matty comes in the summer we will welcome him in, and we will welcome him into the squad.

“The gaffer has brought in Dylan who can get the ball forward.

“Our midfield is very good and can be attack-minded at times. That is going to help the front lads to keep getting goals.

“You can tell the quality that Dylan has got, and he has fitted in really well.”

Mcinnes has urged his side to remember Stenhousemuir as they get their latest cup campaign under way.

The Dons were held to a 1-1 draw by Stenny in the first game after the winter break last year in a remarkable fourthround tie at Pittodrie.

The Aberdeen manager watched his side dominate their League 1 opponents but fail to convert their chances before conceding an equaliser, and the Dons boss hopes lessons have been learned when Dumbarton visit Pittodrie today.

He said: “I was pleased with a lot of the performances against Stenhousemuir but we were guilty of missing so many chances, especially in the first half.

“That was a game – and it will be the same on Saturday – that we’re expected to win. The onus is on us.”

Picture: SNS. Ryan Hedges is keen to avoid a cup upset against the Sons.