Dek’s delight at call-ups for players
DEREK McINNES believes Aberdeen has won back its status as a go-to club for internationalists.
Five Dons stars – Graeme Shinnie, Adam Rooney, Niall McGinn, Ryan McLaughlin and Danny Ward – have joined up with their national teams this week, while youngster Lawrence Shankland has checked in with Scotland’s Under-21s.
McInnes takes considerable pride in his players’ achievements – and he won’t be surprised if even more call-up notices are soon winging their way to Pittodrie.
“It’s satisfying,” admitted the Reds boss.
“You want to work with players who are being tested at that level, who are getting the opportunity to play for their country.
“We CAN provide international players here.
“And we can get players to that level by helping them to improve when they come in the door.
“That’s encouraging – and it helps when you look to sign players too.
“You can say there are ‘X’ amount of internationals here. That’s a good reflection on the club.
“But we’d like more and there are certainly a couple more knocking on the door.”
Having a team of internationalists carries prestige – but it also presents risk.
Niall McGinn was named in the Northern Ireland squad despite carrying a knock, and losing a key player to an injury sustained on international duty is every club manager’s worst nightmare.
But McInnes insists it’s a risk he’s a prepared to take for the sake of the bigger picture.
“You would always want your players away if the opportunity is there for them,” he said.
“When a squad comes in and your players are in it, you’re never disappointed. “You’re always glad of it. “As long as they don’t get injured while they’re away and you’re left picking the pieces up, then it’s a good thing for the club and for the players concerned.”