Mccrorie deal lifts gloom for

● Dons manager has had a tough start to the season but has grounds for optimism

An ability to play in several positions is one reason why Aberdeen were so desperate to land Ross Mccrorie from under the nose of Hibs. There are, however, limits to the former Rangers player’s versatility.

He won’t, for example, be pressed into playing centre forward against St Johnstone tonight despite Derek Mcinnes’ lack of options in the area. As of yesterday afternoon, the Aberdeen manager had one player capable of playing with his back to goal – 18-year-old Michael Ruth. He is currently on the lookout for a striker on loan until January.

According to Mcinnes, while Mccrorie can play “everywhere”, he won’t be asked to clubs – since Alex Willoughby moved to Pittodrie from Ibrox in 1969. The fans, he said, have already been very welcoming.

“I am an Aberdeen player now. There are plenty of other games to be played,” he said when asked about the rivalry between the clubs. “Obviously, my sole focus is doing my best for Aberdeen and I will take each game as it comes.”

Mccrorie barely had the chance to establish himself at Ibrox, which should ease his assimilation as an Aberdeen player. His last but one appearance for Rangers was as an emergency goalkeeper when he took over from the redcarded Allan Mcgregor for the last few minutes against Hibs last year. He also played all last season on loan at Portsmouth.

He says Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard “respected” his decision to move on in the hope of securing first-team football.

“That is what he said when I told him I wanted to leave,” he said. “Rangers then helped me to get things sorted.”

Mcinnes described the last few days as a “good week” after such a challenging spell when it felt like everyone was lining up to take a kick at the club. Although Aberdeen are missing a number of established first-team players due to a combination of injury, suspension and Covid 19-related issues, he is confident he can assemble a team with the ability to secure a win at Mcdiarmid Park. Four of the eight forced to self-isolate following an ill-judged and costly night out will return this evening, some in better condition than others. Craig Bryson, Dylan Mcgeouch, Jonny Hayes and Matty Kennedy have all been back working at Cormack Park this week.

“Two of them have treadmills in their house and managed to do some semblance of work, but a couple of them didn’t so we just need to get that balance right,” said Mcinnes. “All four lads are eager to play their part. It’s been a tough time for them.”

Aberdeen’s position at the bottom of the table alongside Hamilton Accies is not yet cause for concern. After all, Mcinnes’ side have only played one game. But they are still in search of their first goal of the season following the 1-0 defeat to Rangers on the opening day and are desperate to get their season up and prior to Sunday’s fixture against Livingston and next week’s Europa

“This has been a good week for us. We’ve signed one of Scotland’s best young players. A boy who, I think, will become a full international

League qualifying tie against the winners of tonight’s NSI Runavik v Barry Town tie.

“For me, it’s all about the football now,” said Mcinnes. “This has been a good week for us. We’ve signed one of

Scotland’s best young players. A boy who, I think, will become a full international. Getting Ross Mccrorie in, we needed some positive news, and getting the four boys back to train has been brilliant in