Christie deal the stuff of dreams for McInnes

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes admits he would love to sign Ryan Christie on a permanent deal in the summer.

The 23-year-old has a year left on his contract with parent club Celtic and the Dons manager has held discussions with the Premiership leaders over a possible deal.

Christie, ineligible to feature in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by the Hoops, returns to the squad for tonight’s match against Motherwell at Fir Park along with captain Graeme Shinnie after suspension.

McInnes said: “The plan is for Ryan to go back to Celtic at the end of the season but if we are told any different to that then, of course, I would like the opportunity to work with him again.

“It is Celtic and Ryan’s call. He has been a brilliant addition to us in his loan spells.”

McInnes says he has paid little attention to the criticism his side has received following a 10th successive defeat by Celtic.

He said: “We are being criticised for not beating Celtic which has been the case over the last couple of seasons. Then so be it because we don’t really have a lot to defend ourselves with because the results are results.

“I thought the team performed very well, put everything in it and never quite got the result and the criticism has come.

“We can’t be affected by the noise of a good run and people getting a bit giddy or a losing run when there is criticism.”

McInnes, meanwhile, expects a smaller than usual turnout from the Red Army at Fir Park tonight, with 600 fans expected to make the trip.

He added: “I have heard about the amber weather warning and urging people not to travel.

“I am not expecting a huge turnout from our supporters and I can understand why with the game being on television as well.

“Sometimes these things with the weather can be built up to be worse than they actually are but hopefully the game goes ahead. I think supporters should always have the ability to go and watch their team. We normally take a big support to Motherwell.

“It isn’t really the distance that stops them but you have to be listening to advice. Do you want to be travelling when it could be quite treacherous on the way back? I totally understand why supporters would want togo or not.

“It is the way the weather falls but at least fans will get to see the game on television.”

The Dons will be without striker Sam Cosgrove this evening through suspension following his red card against Celtic on Sunday.

Well midfielder Liam Grimshaw (groin) remains out of action while Allan Campbell will be assessed after returning from a hamstring problem at Dundee on Saturday.

Deimantas Petravicius has had an injection for a knee problem and misses out.