The manager spoke to the media today ahead of our second Premier Sports Cup match on Saturday against East Kilbride. To watch the press conference in full on RedTV – please click here.

 The match this weekend

“The cup in Sweden or Scotland is the same. Everyone can beat everyone. But we need to be focussed on our things and always respect every opponent. Every team is trying hard to improve so we have to be sharp in what we are trying to do – intensity, positioning, team spirit. We can’t allow our players to drop any of that. It’s important for everyone to show themselves. We show no difference to these games- we need to take these games 100% seriously.

“The passion is there and how well run the club is. Since we arrived here everything is working really well both for the staff and also for the players. Everyone is supporting each other and helping each other in a good way. It’s a good environment to grow as a leader and a player. Everybody has the same goal to work hard for success and that’s the spirit we need to have. It’s not an easy journey, it’s a lot of hard work. And hopefully we can arrive side by side and get some good results also.

I enjoy the city, I enjoy the training facilities and Pittodrie (I am really looking forward to the first game there!)”

The Transfer window

“I know from experience that things can happen [in the window] so we keep working with our recruitment staff and everybody around us if something happens. But right now, my focus is on this game.

“We have to keep patience but we also need to be ready to move quick. For the first game we only had two and a half weeks training, so we have to try and be clear and don’t change everything. But we must strengthen some parts. There can be some small setbacks on these type of journeys but so far so good and I think the players have answered really well what we have asked them to do.”

Duk

“It is still ongoing like last week so I can’t make any further comment on that right now. It’s the same situation as last week.”

 Bojan

“He has been really good [Bojan] so tomorrow he is in the squad. He is looking sharp and fresh.

“We always have a dialogue with every player individually. We try to find a perfect way with everyone. But we have a squad, Ester came in and did really really well last game so we take it from there.

“Bojan is a good guy and he’s doing well in the training sessions also. I think he’s quite calm here at Cormack Park and everyone is focussed on making a great season for Aberdeen. The transfer window is always like this. But tomorrow he is in the squad.

“It’s positive energy here. The training is going quick and fast and everyone is enjoying it and are focussed on the right spot. For us it’s trying to build something strong here in the league season but also treat these cup games respectfully to try and improve things and try to find ways to win and develop from where we are right now. That is where the focus is and where the focus should be. I don’t feel anyone is focussed on the wrong priorities right now.

Dante Polvara

“It’s only Dante who is not fit. We will travel with 20 players.

“Dante is doing fine. He is back here already (after surgery) and always has a smile on his face and lots of positive energy.  We are here to support him and looking forward to the future and to bring him back into the team again.”