My Aberdeen FC players will blast off the blocks
McGhee delighted with his troops
Published:
MARK McGhee today confirmed the Aberdeen FC squad returned from their summer break fighting fit and ready for the new season.
The new Aberdeen FC boss revealed none of the squad reported back to pre-season training overweight or out of shape.
And with their Europa League third round qualifier looming on July 30, McGhee insisted his side will be more than ready to make an impact.
McGhee said: “All the players came back in good condition as they were fit, slim and had clearly looked after themselves during the break.
“Each player was given a training schedule and they have stuck to it.
“No one who came back from the break carrying bundles of weight so it looks like I will have a good starting point for the season.
“We have four weeks to get up to speed for the start of the Europa League on July 30 .
“Our pre-season will be geared towards being at full-match fitness and sharpness for the European ties.
“And I am confident we will be ready for that.”
Winger Sone Aluko had requested to extend his break because he had been involved on international duty with Nigeria.
However the request was denied by the new Pittodrie gaffer and Aluko returned to training with the rest of the squad.
“Sone had asked for more time as he was on international duty,” said McGhee.
“But I’m afraid I needed to have him back now.”
Meanwhile, McGhee revealed that his bid to sign Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes is hanging in the balance.
The 26-year-old is being tracked by a number of English Championship and SPL clubs.
McGhee said: “Stephen has not given us an answer yet on whether he wants to come to Aberdeen.
“He seems reluctant and appears to be hedging his bets.
“All I can do is keep pushing him until he decides to go somewhere else or joins Aberdeen.
“I would have liked him to have given me an answer by now, but we are still hopeful that he will come to Aberdeen.”
McGhee also wants to take Plymouth defender Jim Paterson in on a year-long loan deal.
“We are waiting to speak to Paul Sturrock at Plymouth again,” he said.
