Aberdeen boss not risking Bryson on a ‘treacherous’ pitch
DEREK McINNES last night slammed Elgin City’s ‘treacherous’ pitch as it scuppered his Europa League preparations. Greg Leigh hobbled off with an ankle injury but is expected to be fit to face RoPS Rovaniemi on Thursday, but it was a lack of game time for Craig Bryson that was perhaps the most severe consequence of the dry Borough Briggs turf. McInnes had been set to give the 32-year-old his first minutes of pre-season but did not want to aggravate the ankle issue which has sidelined his marquee summer signing since April. Bryson watched from the stand as Aberdeen drew 1-1 with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Curtis Main scored for the Dons while Brad McKay netted for the Highlanders in a mundane meeting. McInnes said: ‘I didn’t put Bryson on because of the pitch. I just didn’t think it was worth the risk. ‘We’ll get some more work into him over the weekend. It doesn’t mean to say that he’s not fit for Thursday. ‘His ankle has actually been very good. We’re just trying to top up that fitness. It was important to get him 20 minutes today but I decided against that. ‘The pitch was awful. It was treacherous. It only started to play a wee bit better in the last 10 minutes when the rain came on and there was a bit of speed in it. It was a truly awful pitch.’
Stevie May made a brief appearance from the bench but he is out of favour at Pittodrie. Dundee United and St Johnstone are keen on signing the striker, who has failed to shine since arriving in the north east two years ago from Preston North End in a deal worth £400,000, on loan.
McInnes added: ‘We had a chat and he’ll probably have a few options to see what he wants to do and go and get regular football.
‘We’re happy for Stevie to go out on loan, get regular football and try and score goals and try to catch fire for somebody with the option to come back in January.
‘That would be something that we would like to happen. Stevie understands it and he’s receptive to going out and playing somewhere.
‘If he feels that he wants go on a permanent, then we’d maybe look at that.
‘But we’re not shutting the door on him when he’s got an opportunity at some clubs (to go on loan).
‘I’ve spoken to managers who are interested and I’m sure there are other clubs interested.’