DONS ARE HAPPY TO STEW OVER A MOVE FOR HITMAN
ABERDEEN are prepared to wait in their bid to land target Greg Stewart.
The Birmingham ace, who was on loan at Pittodrie last term, is back on the Reds wanted list having been recalled from his loan spell at Kilmarnock.
City’s Asian owners will hold out for long as possible in the transfer window as they attempt to get as much of the £400,000 they paid out to Dundee two-and-a-half years ago for the forward.
However, Record Sport understands Dons chiefs will monitor the situation and won’t bow to any unreasonable demands.
Manager Derek McInnes refused to discuss Stewart or any specific signing targets after last night’s feisty 2-0 friendly win over Dibba Al Hisn but said: “We’re looking at various options for a bit more firepower and also a left-back.
“We’ll see how things play out over the course of the month. We’re hopeful.”
McInnes was more open on the huge double boost he received in the shape of comebacks for Gary Mackay-Steven and Mark Reynolds.
Winger GMS, who is a target for MLS outfit New York City, returned after two months out following his Hampden horror head clash with Dedryck Boyata while centre-back Reynolds played for the first time this term after his knee injury.
McInnes said: “It was good to get Gary and Mark back as well as a couple of the young lads.
“I’ve not heard anything and I haven’t spoken to Gary about it (New York). I’m going with him for the rest of the season, as expected, unless an offer comes in or he indicates anything different.”
Sam Cosgrove’s two goals won the game in Dubai for Aberdeen before their return to Scotland today but McInnes was happy to get through the Jebel Ali contest with his squad unscathed.
For the second year in a row – after Uzbeks Tashkent – the Reds were subjected to some rough treatment.
McInnes said: “The referee was better than last year but it was probably more competitive than we wanted it and there were some really reckless tackles.
“Once the first two or three go in, that starts the ball rolling. The ref has to be strong on that early on.
“I don’t know what it is when we come here but I do think it’s important to have a game at the end of the week that the players have to focus on.
“From the last match in December to the Scottish Cup tie, we do need something in between.
“It’s about getting the players moving again and, thankfully, we’ve come through it without any real injury or incident. The tempo was decent.”
We will see how things play out over the month. We are hopeful DEREK McINNES