McGhee lays down law on his Aberdeen FC return

FIRST impressions count – and Mark McGhee laid down a marker on his first day of training with Aberdeen FC.

Under a blazing sun at Balgownie, new boss McGhee put the Aberdeen FC squad through a tough 90-minute session.

There was no gentle introduction to life under the new regime, the former Aberdeen FC striker made them sweat in the searing heat.

As the mercury rose the players suffered through sit-ups, press-ups and sprints.

McGhee had promised a hard introduction, and with this, the first of two training stints today, he was true to his word.

PICTURE GALLERY: Aberdeen FC players back in training

As the mercury rose the players suffered through sit-ups, press-ups and sprints.

McGhee had promised a hard introduction, and with this, the first of two training stints today, he was true to his word.

After a introductory meeting at Pittodrie at 9am, McGhee and the squad set off for training.

A convoy of cars, led by McGhee and his assistant Scott Leitch, arrived at Balgownie at 10.48am, and McGhee’s Reds Revolution began.

First McGhee, dressed in a grey training top, directed the entire squad to run around the expansive fields.

Running steadily for 1,000 metres, they then slowed down the pace, stretching their legs from side to side, before picking it up again for another 1,000m.

It was a mantra that was carried out until they had completed a circuit of Balgownie.

With McGhee overseeing the action, the squad split off into teams of two for an improvised game of one-touch football over a small fence.

Head, feet, chest – anything was used.

One team had Tommy Wright paired with Sone Aluko, against Derek Young and Darren Mackie.

A call of ‘yes, 1-0’ rang out as the players were clearly relishing getting a touch of the ball so soon into pre-season training.

There was plenty of laughter, with Zander Diamond leading the way, as the players clearly relished being back together after the summer break.

But McGhee’s voice then boomed out, ‘CHANGE’ and they swapped partners.

Just hours into his Pittodrie career, the Dons gaffer’s word is clearly law.

The real hard graft began soon afterwards as the youth squad, under coach Neil Cooper, linked up with the seniors to form a semi-circle.

With Leitch running proceedings, they did repetitions of up to 30 press-ups, with a short break.

“Ready, change”, Leitch commanded, as in unison they rose their right arm up, to do one handed press-ups.

McGhee prowled in the centre of the circle, keeping a watchful eye on his new charges, urging them to push harder.

They all dug deep, straining, knowing the time to impress the new gaffer starts now.

Top stars like Lee Miller, Diamond Mark Kerr looked in good shape.

Leitch then led them on 200m sprints, before an intense bout of sit-ups.

As the heat grew even stronger under the noon sun, McGhee upped the pace further, with the squad racing round yellow marker poles at full speed.

One after the other they snaked through the markers, with McGhee barking encouragement, of “Come on, keep it up.”

One circuit, of about 800m was completed, before a short jog to wind down. Then they were back at it again.

McGhee has claimed every player is working on a clean slate and he will judge them on purely what he sees.

Impressing the new manager should be enough motivation for players who will all be determined to become part of McGhee’s team in the new season.

On this evidence, it will take not only skill to win over the new gaffer, but plenty of blood, sweat and tears on the training pitch.