Daily Record

Aberdeen take a look at former Rangers midfielder Stephen Hughes

Former Rangers and Scotland star Stephen Hughes will join Aberdeen today on trial as he bids to relaunch his career.

Hughes returned north in November after leaving Norwich but his short-term deal at Motherwell didn't work out.

Pittodrie boss Craig Brown has now offered the midfielder a week to impress in the hope the 29-year-old can ease his injury crisis.

Brown will be without Rob Milson for the rest of the campaign and Isaac Osbourne will be missing for at least another month.

The Dons boss said: "We have lost two midfielders and Hughes is a talented player who is available after his release by Motherwell so we will assess the lad this week."

The Herald

Sunday slot for Scottish Cup final

The Scottish Football Association have agreed to change the dates of the final and the fourth round of next season's Scottish Cup.

The switches are to accommodate UEFA's rule about no games being broadcast on the same day as the Champions League final, but also moves within the Scottish Premier League to reintroduce a winter break.

The alterations are a break in tradition, since the final will now be played on Sunday, May 26, rather than the normal Saturday afternoon kick-off. The fourth round will take place on the weekend of December 1 and 2 rather than early January. Supporters are already dismayed at the change of date for the final, with many concerned that it will disrupt travel plans as much as the tone of the occasion.

Yet UEFA will not allow any matches to be played on the same day as their flagship game, although every European league has been allowed one season's dispensation, which is why this year's Scottish Cup final will take place on the same day as the Champions League final.

"Important to protect the media value of the William Hill Scottish Cup final. Cannot clash with UEFA CL final, hence Sunday fixture," explained Stewart Regan, the SFA chief executive, in a tweet yesterday.

Next season's Champions League final will be played on May 25, but the SFA cannot move the cup final to the previous week because of a clash with the final SPL fixtures.

Leaving a blank weekend between the end of the league campaign and the Scottish Cup final is not considered workable.

Aberdeen's Jason Brown insists good things will come to those who wait
TWO months ago Aberdeen would have lost at Ibrox.

This statement was delivered with a matter of fact calmness by Jason Brown, the English goalkeeper who did so much at the weekend to ensure that his side left the home of the champions with a point.

His save from Sone Aluko in the latter stages of the match was crucial but the 29-year-old former Cardiff City keeper would only say: "Didn't see it really. It's come through a load of bodies and it was just a reaction. Instinct has just taken over and the good thing is I managed to divert it wide enough so that it wasn't going back into the crowd of players."

He admitted, though, there was an expectation in the side that a favourable outcome could be achieved at Ibrox despite the absence of five key players.

"I think so," he replied when asked about the impression that Rangers are vulnerable. "You have to respect them because they are the champions and deservedly so last season, but I feel confident in my team mates and the squad. We had a lot of players missing today and I think we have shown how strong our squad is by coming to Ibrox and getting a point.

"Rangers are under pressure because Celtic are doing really well in the league too and they have caught them up, so the pressure comes from within and they wanted to try to get goals so they did get a bit predictable, but we stood up for the fight and made it difficult. In the first half they did try and play, but we made it difficult for them so they just resorted to long balls."

Craig Brown, the Aberdeen manager, almost predictably, has imbued Aberdeen with a strong organisation and a sense of purpose despite the loss of players through injury and transfer.

Aberdeen will be a top six side next week if they beat Dunfermline Athletic at Pittodrie. This may not lead to an outburst of dancing in Union Street but it represents considerable progress.

Daily Express

STEPHEN HUGHES TO LAND ABERDEEN DEAL

ABERDEEN manager Craig Brown has revealed Stephen Hughes could be the man to answer his midfield SOS.

The Dons boss has offered the former Scotland midfielder the chance to win a move to Pittodrie until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old, who is a free agent after leaving Motherwell, has been offered a potential deal at Aberdeen - as Rob Milsom has been ruled out for the season and fellow midfielders Isaac Osbourne and Peter Pawlett also remain on the treatment table.

Hughes, who has also played for Rangers, Norwich and Leicester, is expected to start training tomorrow.

The Press and Journal

Brown: Hughes can make his mark with Dons

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown believes Stephen Hughes will be a worthy addition for the Dons but is determined to add further reinforcements to his injury-plagued squad.

Midfielder Hughes will spend this week training with the Reds and is expected to be offered a contract to play until the end of the season.

The prospect of winning a long-term deal will be the carrot for the former Rangers and Motherwell player but Brown is also pursuing other options.