Daily Record

Aberdeen stars take the plunge as McGhee revolution begins

ABERDEEN players got a harsh introduction to Mark McGhee's new training regime - when he took them for a dip in the North Sea.

The Dons stars met their new boss for the first time on Tuesday and were plunged into a back-breaking double session, something they will have to get used to.

And yesterday they took to the chilling waters.

Players at McGhee's last club, Motherwell, soon discovered days of rest weren't on the agenda when they were called in for training every Sunday.

The manager said: "The overwhelming feeling I got from the Aberdeen players was a positive one.

"Their attitude has been good. We had them doing a double session on Wednesday then let them off with just one session on Thursday because we worked them so hard.

"I took them down to the beach and got them to go into the sea to cool down their legs.

"We have arranged a bounce game next Saturday before we go to Austria for our training camp."

McGhee wants to bring in new players and would like to do business soon. Stephen Hughes tops his list while Jim Paterson, among others, is also wanted.

McGhee said: "I'm still waiting for Stephen to tell me if he wants to join Aberdeen.

"I'm speaking with Paul Sturrock at Plymouth about Jim and there are a few loan deals we are working on.

"Stephen appears to be hedging his bets. All I can do is push him until he decides to go somewhere else or joins us."

Press and Journal

Austria trip will forge team spirit, says Dons manager

McGhee focus on Europa League tie

Mark McGhee knows he has a job on his hands winning over the Aberdeen squad but the Dons manager is confident everyone at the club will be pulling together in time for the new season.

The Dons players were stunned after the shock dismissal of previous manager Jimmy Calderwood and some spoke out against the decision announced just minutes after the Pittodrie players had secured fourth spot in the SPL and qualification for the Europa League.

McGhee, who met the full squad for the first time on Wednesday, admitted it will not be easy for the players to adjust to the new set-up, but after a frank discussion before training he believes it will not take too long to unite the club.

Aberdeen head to Austria next week for a nine-day training camp which McGhee believes will forge team spirit ahead of the new campaign.

He said: "It can be difficult for players to make the transition when a new manager comes in, especially given the success of the previous manager.

"The players would have been sad to see Jimmy go and now they will be waiting to see what they are going to get with me.

"They will have heard things here and there and spoken to their friends at Motherwell but we will make it easy for them and tell them we are here to work with them as a team and to try to improve them.

"We will work as hard for them as they do for us and, hopefully by the time we come back from Austria, we will all know all about each other."

McGhee's focus is firmly on Aberdeen's first competitive match of the season - the Europa League third-round tie on July 30 - which takes place two weeks before the start of the SPL season against Celtic at Pittodrie.

McGhee admitted he would rather have used the league campaign opener as his main target but he now will set his sights on the European tie. He will find out the opposition when the draw is made on Friday, July 17.

McGhee said: "I would have preferred to have a league match before the European game but now we need to use the Europa League match as our main focal point for pre-season."

The Dons manager is continuing his pursuit of new players, with out-of-contract Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes still assessing his options.

Evening Express

McGhee will play three up-front for Aberdeen FC

Mark wants new striker

Mark McGhee wants Aberdeen strikers to score 35 goals a season.

Aberdeen FC manager Mark McGhee today revealed he will bring in a new striker this summer - so he can attack the SPL by playing three up-front.

Renowned for his attacking philosophy, McGhee will employ a three-pronged attack for Aberdeen FC, and signing an established centre-forward is one of his main priorities.

Pawlett can be Aberdeen FC's wide boy

Leitch challenges Pawlett

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.