Forrester shows signs of being new McLean
DEREK McINNES last night claimed that Chris Forrester can be a ‘matchwinner’ for Aberdeen this season. A £200,000 signing from Peterborough United, Forrester grabbed the only goal as the Dons began their pre-season with a victory over Cobh Ramblers in Cork.
With Kenny McLean departing to Norwich City, McInnes hopes that Forrester can become a similarly important player in the north-east.
‘You saw his quality, he can be a matchwinner for us,’ said McInnes. ‘Sometimes you need forward players to turn a single point into three and I think he can be someone like that for us. He can score goals and make them for other people.
‘I don’t want to make too much of a reference to Kenny McLean but when he came here he was St Mirren’s talisman, who could make a difference for them.
‘But I think Kenny would accept now he became that for us in time, but also became a far more rounded player. So while Chris can do that for us, he can carry that threat at the top end of the pitch. I think he can also become a more rounded player in his time with us.’
Stevie May and Sam Cosgrove sat out the win, but Mikey Devlin, the defender signed in January from Hamilton, made his first appearance in 406 days.
McInnes said: ‘I was delighted to see Mikey on the pitch again.
‘He has hardly kicked a ball in two seasons but we know what he’s capable of.
‘The chance is there for him now. He’s got to try to nail down a spot.’