striker on his new deal

The club announced this morning that Josh Magennis has agreed to be part of the new look Aberdeen squad next season. The Dons striker spoke to RedWeb this afternoon.

“I was over the moon when I got offered a new deal and I am glad to get the contract sorted out. I always had confidence in my own talent and ability and for the gaffer to take me on after what was a major clearout has given me a massive lift.

“I needed someone to believe in me and my thought process and he told me he did. I know with the manager and Tony that it is going to be a great year for me personally next season and I am going to push on to bigger and better things. As a club I also believe we will move forward.

“The manger told me that I was his player now. He has said that he did not inherit me, it was his decision to keep me on. He told me that I am a striker and unless there are any injury problems I will be playing upfront. They said they were looking forward to working with me. For me that was great and refreshing to hear. I feel wanted and I am looking forward to working with them as much as they are looking forward to working with me.

“All managers are different. It was great working with Craig and Archie who passed on a lot of their experience which is invaluable. The sessions we have been doing under the new management team have been really good and all the boys are really enjoying training. There is a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of encouragement and a lot of time put into helping with confidence. The way the manager wants us to play is very positive.

“When you have a manager who is willing to do anything for you, the only way to repay him is to do everything you can for him and that is the attitude we have created amongst the players even though he has only been in the job for five or six weeks. All the boys feel that way, not just myself. There is a close bond and I believe we as a side will be hard to break down. It will also make us stronger if something does go against us in a game. To be successful you need to have that in your dressing room.

“I still know myself and the manager knows that I am a bit raw but with the coaching I am now getting, particularly from Tony Docherty, I feel I will be able to offer a lot to the team next season. It is not just down to technical ability but a lot of it is to do with confidence as well. As I say they make me feel wanted and one of their top priorities.

“As a striker you want to beat the previous season’s goal tally and that is what I set out to do at the start of the last campaign. Even though I was in and out of the team and playing at right back and on the right wing I still finished second top goal scorer, although I was obviously a lot further away from the number of goals Niall got.To win the goal of the season award was a great achievement for myself and I thank all the fans who took time to vote for me. Again this helps with my confidence.

“The fans have been great to me and my family since I moved to Aberdeen. I know I cannot please everybody. You have to come to terms with the fact some people are going to like you are some people are not.

“You can only portray to them what you are like on the pitch on a Saturday within those 90 minutes. I was always taught by my Academy coach that the minimum you can give is 100%, everything else in your game can be worked on. If people know that you are going to try no matter what, whether they like that you or not as a player, they will get behind you.

“Hopefully when we are doing well next season we will get the crowds back and get Pittodrie rocking again.”