DEL AT THE DOUBLE TO EASE STRAIN
DEREK McINNES moved to ease Aberdeen’s injury crisis by signing Ryan Edmondson and Tommie Hoban ahead of today’s opener with Rangers.
Record Sport broke the story yesterday that England Under-19 Edmondson was set to join the Dons on-loan from Leeds until January.
Edmondson will deputise for injured pair Sam Cosgrove and Curtis Main, while free-agent Hoban has signed a short-term deal until January to cover for Mikey Devlin.
McInnes said: “I’m delighted Ryan is here.
“His eagerness and willingness to come to Aberdeen is encouraging.
“He’s a player we’ve known about for a while and always felt he had the correct attributes to add to our squad.”
The Dons boss also praised his board for allowing him to bring in Edmondson and Hoban when money is so tight.
McInnes and his firstteam squad all had to take cuts but he reckons they had to bring in a striker given their injuries.
Jonny Hayes is the only other signing Aberdeen have made this summer as they fight a potential £10million Covid-19 hole.
The manager said: “With the injuries to Sam and Curtis we’d have been short of two of our key players so I must thank the board for their co-operation in getting Ryan here, during what is a financially tough period.
“I’ve no doubt Ryan will have a positive impact during his time with us.”
Hoban had been training with the Dons because he suffered a cruciate ligament injury with them when he was on loan from Watford.
He’s been doing his rehab at Cormack Park and McInnes dealt him in with Devlin out and Shay Logan and Ash Taylor just coming back from injury.
McInnes added: “I enjoyed working with Tommie prior to the injury he sustained in an Aberdeen shirt. Following his rehab with us we’ve taken the option for him to join us while we’re a defender short.
“I’m delighted to get a player of his quality. He’s a bit short of fitness but has put in a lot of hard work and I’m assured we can get him up to speed quickly.”