Pawlett can be Aberdeen FC’s wide boy
Leitch challenges Pawlett
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TEENAGE star Peter Pawlett was today challenged to step up and convince Aberdeen FC they do not need to sign a wide midfielder.
New Aberdeen FC boss Mark McGhee and his assistant Scott Leitch have highlighted the flanks as one of the areas that need strengthened ahead of the new season.
But Leitch wants Pawlett to shine in pre-season, and show they already have a player in that position.
Leitch said: “We will give every player the chance to show us what they can do before we start focusing on specific signing targets.
“Now that the squad is back together, Mark and I will begin assessing the players and discussing areas we need to strengthen.
“That is what the first week of pre-season training will really be about – seeing what we have to work with.
“Initially we will be focusing on what we have at Pittodrie first before we decide who we want to sign.
“There could be players already in the youth set up just waiting to come into a position, which will mean we will not have to look at that area.
“Peter Pawlett is a player in that category and we want him to grow in stature.
“Ideally, Pawlett will take the responsibility on his shoulders and push hard to get into the first team.”
Pawlett made his breakthrough at the end of last season under former boss Jimmy Calderwood.
The 18-year-old started the final two games of the campaign against Rangers and Hibs, playing a pivotal role in securing fourth place in the SPL and a Europa League berth.
And Leitch wants Pawlett to lead a new breed of Aberdeen FC youngsters forcing their way into the first team set-up.
“There will definitely be an open door for the young players,” he said.
“This is a chance for them to push into the first team.
“We want the young players at the club to gain vital experience, and push on.
“Pawlett certainly achieved that last season by making his first start against Rangers at Ibrox.
“He played well and ideally he can keep that momentum going.
“Everyone at Aberdeen FC wants to see the young players, like Pawlett, come in and stake a claim for the first team.”
Leitch and McGhee wasted no time in initiating a gruelling pre-season summer training programme.
Within hours of being introduced to the players for the first time they had them out in the searing heat at Balgownie for a double session.
The squad will begin training at 7am next week, before jetting out to Obertraun in the Austrian mountains on July 10 for a 10-day training camp.
And Leitch has urged young players on the fringes, such as Michael Paton, 20, who scored at Ibrox, to show what they can do.
“The pre-season training will be intense and we have a few weeks to really assess everyone,” he said.
“This is the chance for the youngsters to try to put pressure on the more experienced players.
“It is important that they try to challenge the senior players.
“Every player will be given the opportunity to make their first team claim and that is from the younger players all the way up to the most senior.
“We play in the Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday, July 30, and we want every player to go out to impress us before then.”
The financial crisis within Scottish football has ensured there is increasing onus on nurturing young talent.
But despite Leitch’s pledge to bring through Pittodrie’s promising youngsters, he also accepts experience must also be added in the summer.
Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes, who is out of contract, remains the number one target.
Aberdeen FC are still waiting on a response from Hughes, who is also being tracked by English Championship and SPL sides.
“Aberdeen FC have some great players and we recognise that,” said Leitch.
“It is no surprise that they have finished fourth in the last two seasons.
“But we want to build on that so well as looking at youth we aim to bring in a couple of players to help the team progress further.
“Hughes is a good player but there are other clubs interested in him.
“Ideally our previous link with him at Motherwell will act as an incentive for Hughes to come to Pittodrie.”
