Pre-season | latest from St Andrews

Aberdeen this evening completed their pre-season training camp in St Andrews and returned to Pittodrie. This afternoon, The Dons played Hearts in a closed doors match.

The Edinburgh club are also based at St Andrews for their pre-season programme and the game was a useful exercise for both teams who enter the Europa League next week. Aberdeen won the game 1-0 thanks to a Shay Logan goal. On Monday The Dons beat Welsh side TNS 3-0 in another closed doors game.

Joe Lewis started the game in goal and played the full 90 minutes. The new keeper impressed with a couple of very good saves. Aberdeen lined up with a back four of Logan, Taylor, Considine and Shinnie. Jack and McLean were in central midfield with Hayes and Smith in the wide areas and Rooney and Stockley up front. Reynolds, Flood, Wright and Shankland were also all given a good run out during the training game and for the last 20 minutes’ youngsters Henry, Harvie, McKenna, Ross and McLennan came on.

Jonny Hayes limped off in the opening minutes but his injury is not thought to be too serious. Shay’s 33rd minute header was all that separated the two teams when he met a Kenny McLean corner and headed home from close range. Arnaud Djoum missed a second-half penalty for Robbie Neilson’s men after a handball.

Of the other chances, Jayden Stockley and Kenny McLean went close in the first period whilst new Hearts signing Robbie Muirhead was denied by a great save from Joe Lewis. In the second half Alim Ozturk blasted over from close range and Conor Sammon looped a header over. Late on Lewis produced more good saves from a Ozturk free-kick and Juanma effort from close range.

Derek McInnes spoke to afc.co.uk after the game:

“It was a good workout and a good level of fitness. Jonny came off early but he’ll be fine and Kenny came off with a tight back but he’ll also be okay.

“Peter Pawlett and Callum Morris missed the game as they were carrying very slight knocks and there’s no point in taking any chances. It was a great opportunity to give most of the squad a run out, including the young lads who were with us.”

The Dons will play Brechin City on Sunday ahead of their Europa League first round first leg match on Thursday.