Derek McInnes on RedTV
Derek McInnes previewed the FC Twente game with Dave on RedTV this afternoon.
“Pre-season is there for a purpose. Obviously we don’t want to lose games and we did not want to lose the game the other night in Peterhead so it was far from ideal but it is all about making steps towards the first game of the season and the campaign ahead.
“My biggest concern at the minute is getting players fit. We have a few injuries that are causing a bit of concern. Having just spoke to the medical staff though we feel all the players apart from Chris Clark and Andrew Considine should be available to us for the game against Kilmarnock next Saturday.
“Chris is going through an exploratory operation today to have a better look inside the knee to see what is going on. We have an idea what has happened but we need to see for certain. Our fingers are crossed that we get some good news but we know he will be out for a period.
“Andy Considine has been doing a bit of work with the U20s and he did some training with us today. We have been here before with Andy two or three weeks ago. It is important to put the harness on him as he is desperate to be involved. I think the plan at the minute all being well will be for Andy to play 45 minutes for the U20s against Inverurie on Saturday.
“We have still got 90 minutes to get through tomorrow night and I am a bit concerned we might still put up more injuries but it is still a game we are looking forward to and brings an end to all the hard work the boys have put in during pre-season. We then get into the proper work next week as we countdown to the first league game. I am looking forward to channelling all our energy into that game.
“FC Twente are a very good side. We have done our work on them and seen the quality and calibre of their players. They have sold a couple of players for millions of pounds but speaking to people who know them a lot better than I do, they have still got two or three of their better players so that shows you the standard of players we are going to be up against.
“For me it is a challenge and the players will see it as a challenge. It is a notch up on the games we have played so far so it is a game we want to do well in because you always want to test yourself against the best players. It is also the first opportunity for the players to play on the new pitch and I know that is something they are looking forward to.
“It will be a very tough workout whether we win lose or draw.”
