Redmatchday | Issue 11 | Preview

on sale tonight

This weeks redmatchday magazine…

MAIN FEATURE | Barry Robson

If you dig out the big book of footballing clich?s, you will find that “There’s no substitute for experience” is one of the real favourites. It’s a very valid point, but equally, “you need hungry players” is another one of the hardy perennials.

Which is why Derek McInnes played a blinder by signing Barry Robson during the summer.

Seventeen years into his playing career, and Robson is as keen to win every game – be it at Pittodrie, Tynecastle, Tannadice or on the training pitch – as ever he was and probably more so. In part it’s down to the nature of the man, a born competitor.

AFC FORMER PLAYERS FEATURE | George Campbell

Ex Don George Campbell, now based in Australia, was back in Aberdeen recently with his Melbourne Football Stars. A young Aberdeen XI recorded a 4-2 victory over the Stars at the Aberdeen Sports Village in a very entertaining game. His touring team are always welcome visitors for what has become an annual fixture. During his UK tour, George, who played for the Dons during the 1970s, took time out to speak to Sean Graham.

And at only 16 you were one of only three players to have a debut at that age for Aberdeen FC – how did this make you feel?

At that time I didn’t know I was the youngest player ever to make his debut for Aberdeen. All I knew was that I was blessed to have been given the opportunity by Jimmy Bonethrone and it was truly an honour to be playing for Aberdeen FC.

YOUNG DONS FEATURE | Scott Wright

The modern game of football demands pace like at no other time in its history. With Peter Pawlett, Mark Reynolds, Niall McGinn, Jonny Hayes, Gregg Wylde and Josh Magennis, the first team squad have their fair share of speedsters.

Scott Wright, of the U20 side, has that same lightning pace, plus an awful lot of skill proving once again that the hard work done by the Youth Academy in recent years is paying off. He has employed those talents all over the pitch, before settling on his current wide role.

“At the start of my career, I was a central midfielder. I then got pushed up front and then out to the wing. It is probably the best position for me as my strength is my speed and ability to take players on, but there are still a few areas I need to work on, like my heading and I need to build up my strength. I am doing a lot of work now with Sports Scientist Graham Kirk, he’s working with all the young boys as well as the senior players. I think you will really see the benefits of having him on board over the years to come.”AFC Sticker Collection

redmatchday magazine is on sale from in and around the ground tonight and is also available from the Pittodrie Club shop still priced at £3.