Dons boss’ s top priority for window is defenders

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin confirmed his main priority in the January transfer window is signing defenders.

And he also revealed the Dons came close to landing a defender early in the window – only for the move to fall through.

The Dons boss slammed the defending as “atrocious” as the backline was ripped apart in a 5-0 humiliation at Hearts.

Aberdeen have been linked with a move for Sunderland’s Australian international centre-back Bailey Wright.

The 30-year-old has been capped 28 times and played at the recent 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Aberdeen have other defensive targets in England and Europe as Goodwin aims to strengthen his rearguard options.

Captain Anthony Stewart and on-loan Liam Scales are the only recognised centre-backs at Pittodrie.

Burnley centre-back Kevin Long was on Aberdeen’s January radar.

However, Republic of Ireland international Long signed for Birmingham City in the first week of the January window.

Tranmere Rovers rightback Josh Dacres-Cogley is a January target.

Dacre-Cogley, 26, is out of contract this summer and free to talk to any interested clubs.

Asked if he will sign defenders this month, Goodwin said: “It has been a priority since the start of the window. We thought we had one coming in early and it fell through.

“There are also one or two areas we have to strengthen.”

The loss at Hearts piles pressure on Goodwin.

Aberdeen have won just once in eight games in all competitions since the winter break.

In the aftermath of the Hearts loss Goodwin was quizzed about the level of support from chairman Dave Cormack and the club’s board since the winter break.

He replied: “The chairman and the board and everybody behind the scenes at the club have been absolutely brilliant from day one.”

Aberdeen have secured just five clean sheets in 22 Premiership games this season.

Against Hearts winger Matty Kennedy operated at right-back.

Ross McCrorie, who was used as a midfielder last season, operated as the right sided centre-back at Tynecastle.

Goodwin released four Scottish international centre-backs last summer.

Andy Considine, Declan Gallagher, David Bates and Mikey Devlin all exited.

Devlin, however, had not played for the entirety of last season due to longterm injury.

In the summer transfer window only two centrebacks were signed, Stewart permanently and Scales on loan from Celtic.

Goodwin says the defensive frailty is “on me” as he built the squad and picks the team.

He said: “There is a lot to digest there defensively (after Hearts loss).

“Some of the defending was atrocious.

“Defensively we need to do better and that is on me.

“I’m the one that puts them out there and asks them to play a certain way.

“When they cross that white line obviously it is over to them and you want them to do well in key situations.

“Unfortunately against Hearts some of the goals were far too easy.”

Goodwin spent more than £1.5 million in an overhaul of the squad.

Despite the complete capitulation at Tynecastle he insists they are “not a weak group”.

Goodwin said: “I think there are a lot of good characters in there.

“I don’t think they are a weak group, I really don’t. I don’t think any of the players threw the towel in.

“Our home form has been very good this season but our away form has been abysmal. You can’t rely on your home form to take us to where we believe we want to be.”

Asked if the heavy defeat to Hearts piles more pressure on him, the Dons boss said: “Part and parcel of being a manager of any club is getting results and winning games of football.

“Unfortunately on the road this season, up to now, we have not earned enough points.

“It is something that has to change and has to change quickly.”

Goodwin is set to ring the changes for Monday’s Scottish Cup trip to nonleague Darvel.

The Dons boss says everyone at the club are “deeply sorry” for the Hearts shocker.

However he accepts Aberdeen fans will be “sick” of his apologies after away defeats.

Goodwin is determined to deliver a convincing cup win on Monday.

He said: “I will need to make one or two changes going into that game to freshen things up.”

TARGET: Aberdeen have been linked with Australian defender Bailey Wright.