Aberdeen FC boss wants to keep all his boys
McGhee’s pledge over squad size
Published:
ABERDEEN FC boss Mark McGhee is determined the spate of new arrivals at Pittodrie won’t spark an exodus of players in the other direction.
If all the transfers he was working on today come off, the Aberdeen FC manager will be left with a first team squad of 22, backed up with youngsters such as Ryan Jack, Scott Ross and Clark Robertson, who are with them on their pre-season tour of England.
Having already admitted his squad is likely to contain “18 to 20” players, the pressure would clearly be on McGhee to cut his pack.
He admitted that he is likely to look at loaning out some of his strikers if Aston Villa youngster Jim Collins persuades him to bring his contingent of those up to seven.
But the Aberdeen boss hopes to be able to hold on to the rest.
He said: “I will eventually have to consider the economics of carrying a decent-sized squad.
“We set a limit of 18 to 20 players because it’s all we can afford.
“I will have to do some pruning, but I’m hoping putting one or two of the strikers on loan will be enough.
“I have no plans to move on any of the rest.
“We still have Peter Pawlett, Sone Aluko and Derek Young to come back in after injuries.
“If we get the final group of new signings, they would bring the squad back up to full strength.
“Even then, the squad would still be a bit tight as far as cover for some positions goes, so I would prefer to keep what I have.”
Readers' Comments
Wait a minute, don't we need about 24 - 26 players for an entire seasons first team squad? Or do we eepxect to have no injuries and sendings off, seeing as last season was a one off eh? I'm quite happy to see youth players coming in as well to backup the senior / first team starts.
Paul McStay
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Yeah, everyone seems to have missed the fact that we signed up a load of the youngsters on full time contracts as well as chasing all the new signings. I think it's been a very positive summer and WM needs congratulated, must have been putting in the hours again this year! Earning his wage?
Kevin Watt
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Kevin, I disagree with that about WM, anyone could offer the young lads terms and they'd either agree or end up in the scrap pile that is Scottish football, or play in the highland league etc. WM isn't worth his wages in my opinion and I think he should NOT be our director of football at all. A successful football minded businessman should have the role, and WM as his grotty recent business history suggests, is not successful. I'm thinking AFC coulsd and really ought to appoint a new man for that role.
Paul McStay
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Kevin, I disagree with that about WM, anyone could offer the young lads terms and they'd either agree or end up in the scrap pile that is Scottish football, or play in the highland league etc. WM isn't worth his wages in my opinion and I think he should NOT be our director of football at all. A successful football minded businessman should have the role, and WM as his grotty recent business history suggests, is not successful. I'm thinking AFC coulsd and really ought to appoint a new man for that role.
Paul McStay
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