Goodwin ready for reshuffle with Scales out of opener
JIM GOODWIN revealed he’s already plotting his reshuffled team selection to face Celtic on the opening day of the cinch Premiership – with Liam Scales out of contention for the match.
The Irish defender is not available for selection having been loaned to Aberdeen from Ange Postecoglou’s side.
It means Goodwin will be forced into a rethink in central defence despite Anthony Stewart and Scales developing an impressive partnership in the Premier Sports Cup group stage.
But the Pittodrie manager is not lacking options to replace Scales for the opening week of the league calendar with Ross McCrorie given half an hour at centre-back against Stirling Albion, David Bates in the squad and youth prospect Jack Milne forcing his way into contention.
On the rearguard rethink, Goodwin explained: “It is disappointing that Scales is going to be unavailable but that is the nature of the beast when you loan from teams within your own league. You just have to take that on the chin.
“You can see what we tried in the second half (against Stirling) on the hour mark. We moved McCrorie to centre-back to see how himself and Stewart looked together.
“Ross played a hell of a lot of football at centre-back last year and was very, very good at it. That might be an option.
“We’ve also got Bates who is available and can play there. And young Milne can play there.”
Scales joined Aberdeen on a season-long-loan from
Celtic with Goodwin thought to be keen on making his stay permanent is possible. Goodwin had watched Scales during his time at Shamrock Rovers and tried to sign him for St Mirren – but is thrilled to finally link up with the defender who he views as a central defender.
“I think Scales and Stewart have looked tremendous in the opening three games,” said Goodwin. “In my opinion his best position is centre-back.
Celtic brought him in and played him at left-back and when you dominate the ball as well as they do, he can play that position.
“I’m not trying to tell Celtic anything but in my opinion, I prefer him at centre-back.”
While Aberdeen will be without Scales for the Scottish Premiership curtain-raiser, one player who may return is Jack MacKenzie – although the match will likely come too soon for Connor Barron.
MacKenzie hasn’t featured yet for the Aberdeen first team this season but could make a return just in time for the Celtic match, even if he misses taking on Raith Rovers tomorrow.
Barron, meanwhile, is still a couple of weeks from a comeback after picking up a knee knock in a behind-closeddoors friendly.
Offering an injury update on the young duo, Goodwin revealed: “Barron played a part of a friendly match for us behind closed doors on Saturday and tweaked the inside of his knee again.
“It’s nothing major, there’s no alarm bells ringing but it is a tweak in the medial ligament which we hoped would be a couple of weeks but it could potentially be another couple of weeks which is a bit disappointing so the Celtic game might just come too soon for him.
“MacKenzie I’d like to think will be back in after the game against Raith.
“Young Mason Hancock has stepped into that position and done quite well as well.
“The academy boys have stepped up when needed.”
Scales and Stewart have looked tremendous in the opening three games