quotes from the Dons new signing and the manager

Derek McInnes

“We looked at areas of the team we felt needed strengthened and we felt that we needed pace and balance off the left hand side of the pitch. Gregg was a player we knew a lot about, we know the difficulties he’s had in the last couple of years but he’s a good age, just turned 22 and he ticks a lot of the boxes for us. We’ve got him on a three year deal and we will give him that platform to get his career back on track again. The fact he is only 22, we think there is plenty of development and plenty of progress to be made, but what he does give us is another real outlet of pace and invention and I think that is needed in the team.

“I think we’ve done well, we’ve still got to justify the signings and all the work is still ahead of us but I think we’ve done well as a club to get the players in. I’m grateful for how efficiently and clinically the club have dealt with things and we’ve managed to get players in quite smoothly. I spoke to Gregg and his agent a few weeks back but met him last week and we agreed a deal that night. There have not been any real issues with any of the players, sometimes signings players can be fraught with difficulties and maybe people are unrealistic with their demands, but they have all gone really smoothly. I think there is a realisation that Aberdeen is a good platform for these boys and we’re determined to do the job that everyone is expecting of us.

“There is still a need to bring a goalkeeper in. We’ve only got one senior goalkeeper on the books and we’ve got to make sure we bring a goalkeeper in to work alongside Jamie. At the same time we’re pretty much there. There’s was a pot of money there that I was able to utilise with the players that moved on and we’re more of less there with it. I’m happy with the way the squad is looking. We’ve got some good youngsters ready to take part this season and I’d never say never, there still might be a case for bringing one or two others in but at the minute we’re predominately there and I am happy going in to pre-season on Wednesday with the signings we’ve made.”

RedTV | the managers press conference in full please click here

Gregg Wylde

“I am delighted with the move and I am very much looking forward to pre season which starts on Wednesday and then the season ahead. I am glad everything is done and dusted and I am looking forward to focussing on my football again.

“The manager phoned me a couple of weeks ago when I was on holiday. I then came and spoke to him when I got back. He sold AFC to me when he told me about the club and the fans. I am here for three years and during that time I want to have some success. I know the club finished in the bottom six last season but hopefully we can aim higher next season and do well in the cup competitions.

“My time in England was frustrating. It took a while for my clearance to come through when I first went down south. Then the manager sent me out on loan for a while and I thought that might be the turning point but he (Owen Coyle) then got sacked and when Dougie Freedman came in he wanted to bring in his own players. I was not even getting a sniff of getting a game. I just want to get back playing again and want to enjoy my football again. I have really missed training all week and then playing on a Saturday.

“I am only 22 so I still have a lot to learn. I am really looking forward to getting started. I know it is my job in the team to help deliver goals for other players but I also need to chip in with some goals as well.”

“It is a clean slate for me. I am very happy to be here.”

“Derek McInnes is a very good manager. He tried to take me to Bristol City before I signed for Bolton. He is a great man to talk to off the park. As a coach he has very high standards and is quite demanding so as a player I am looking forward to that. He has also made some very good signings this summer.

RedTV | Gregg Wylde press conference in full please click here

Gregg Wylde Signs | Press Conference