Ahead of Thursday night’s match with FK Ventspils here at Pittodrie Miles Storey spoke about the prospect of making his Aberdeen debut.

In terms of fitness are you raring to go?
 
“Yeah, I’m getting there. Obviously I am a little bit behind the lads who started on the 15^th of June, they’ve had a couple of pre-season games and a bit of training which I need to catch up on, but I’m feeling sharper and stronger as the days are going on”.
 
The manager says you are not totally ready but you will have an involvement, how do you feel you can make an impact?
 
“As the days go on I feel a lot stronger, fitter and sharper. We played a pre-season game on Sunday against East Fife which is my first game since the end of last season and it was a good work out with me playing 60 minutes. I just need to keep getting my fitness. Hopefully if I’m recalled on Thursday I can show what I can do and do my bit for the team”.
 
Are you still getting used to your new teammates and differences of here to Inverness?
 
“I think I play a little different to the strikers who are already here as I like to run in behind, running with the ball and playing off the shoulder. That will take a little while to get an understanding on my part and the team’s part as well just to build up that sort of relationship on the pitch”.
 
How exciting is it to be involved in European football and so early on?
 
“It was a bit nervy last week when they hit the post at 1-0, but I’m pleased the lads did well in the first leg and secured the tie so I could be involved this time and I’m really looking forward to it”.
 
Do you get a feeling that may have re-focused everyone’s energies to make sure they are on top of their game for this one?
 
“I think so. The game on Sunday helped as well, there was a stage where we were drawing as well, but we came through with the win and to come through that game for our legs and put Fola to the back of our minds, from what I can see in training the lads are sharp, the tempo is good and it will be a good game Thursday”.
 
Have you set yourself any personal targets for the season ahead?
 
“First of all I need to get fit and get sharp. The way I play hopefully the rest will follow. I’ve got to get into the team and help as best as I can. I’ll set my targets when I reach my peak”.
 
There was a lot of speculation about your future at the end of last season, why was Aberdeen the right move?
 
“Firstly I always wanted to stay in Scotland. The Scottish Premiership is a massive league and if there was a chance to stay I wanted to do that. No disrespect to the lower league in England, but there is a lot more coverage up here and means more to the fans. There are more TV games too. At the end of the season I had a chat with the manager here for about an hour talking about football and his views on the club and how it is going forward. He told me how he wanted his team to play and within an hour I had no more questions and wanted to come here, be a part of it and achieve something”.
 
Your view of Scottish football is interesting, People some in England sometimes have a perception Scottish football is not the best?
 
“I’ve been on a lot of loan moves and was at Swindon from a young age. When at Inverness last year I really enjoyed playing against teams like Celtic and Aberdeen, clubs with good players of an international standard and you will not get that in League 2 or lower. If anyone was going to ask me personally if they should come up here I would say yes straight away, you will enjoy yourself”.
 
Do you get the feeling you are at a club who are moving in the right direction?
 
“Yeah I mean obviously I haven’t been here for very long, but I can tell you it is extra professional. Everything is done to precision, whether it be training, the food we eat or the science behind the football, I’ve been really impressed and I am looking forward to making an impact and trying to get myself in the team”.
 
You’re not here to be on the bench, as a striker there is Adam Rooney to get passed…
 
“When you look at the strikers we have here now we all offer things very different. I like to get in behind, I’m direct and play on the last shoulder of the defence. Rooney is a poacher who will finish anything and Jayden is unbelievable in the air and is a finisher as well. We all offer something different and whichever way we want to play a game we offer something. It is up to us to help the team in whichever way we can”.
 
How confident are you of forming a partnership as a 2 with Adam or Jayden or whoever?
 
“Last year I played a lot on my own at Inverness and it is tough work on your own, but I enjoyed it as well. With a two, both those lads are good in the air so if they were to flick something on I am confident I can get in behind and create something for the team whether it be scoring myself or setting someone else up. I am just looking forward to getting in my groove, getting my fitness and sharpness back”.
 
With the likes of Niall and Jonny supplying the ammunition, you’ll be confident that you can get right in amongst the goals?
 
“Yeah, every time I watched them last year, crosses were flying in the box. Kenny slots balls in behind with other midfielders. Chances are going to be created, it’s just up to us to finish them”.
 
How does Derek McInnes compare to John Hughes in terms of style and approach?
 
“In a way it is similar as both are hands on with their training. I’ve had managers in the past who have just passed that onto coaches, but I think from what I can tell so far both are hands on and really care about how the team are going to shape up”.