the captain also speaks to RedTV
Russell Anderson and Josh Magennis today popped into the ticket office to help sell some season tickets. Skipper Russell took a break from his selling duties to speak to RedTV.
“Our fans are the life and blood of the club. When players like Josh and myself are long gone, the supporters will still be here so we do appreciate them and realise they are the most important part of Aberdeen Football Club. We will make a real effort to appreciate that support by giving them something back on the field this season.
“The summer break seems to get shorter every season as I get older! But it is getting to that time where all you are looking forward to getting back for pre-season and seeing all the boys again and catching up with them.
“I am sure everyone will have looked after themselves over the summer. They are all very honest professionals who want to do the best they can for the club.
“I am a bit nervous about this pre-season, it is a bit of an unknown quantity at the moment, especially the boot camp!Taking everyone away the first week is a good idea so we can concentrate on getting a base of fitness which will hopefully carry us through the rest of the pre-season campaign and the season itself. It will also give a chance for the new players to integrate into the squad.
“I have been very impressed with the two new signings.
“I first played against Barry Robson when I was about 14 or 15 and have played against him right the way through our careers. He has had a very good career at every club he has played at and I am sure he will want to continue that here. I am sure he will be a very good addition to the team. He has got a lot of ability and a very good left foot. He is also experienced as well and I don’t think that is any coincidence. The manager will have thought about that when signing him as well as his playing ability.
“Willo Flood is also a very good player. I remember the game before the split at Tannadice last season. He played very well against us. He has been around for a while so he has plenty of experience of playing in the SPL. He has proved himself to be a very good player so he will be another good addition to the team.
“With the size of squad we have everyone is going to have to step up to the plate – the players who are left from last season plus the young players who will really be looking to kick on and make a name for themselves. You saw that towards the end of the last campaign with Joe Shaughnessy and Nicky Low really proving they could hold a place in the first team. I am sure the likes of Declan McManus and Cammy Smith will be looking forward to it and below them there will be another two or three players that will be giving themselves a chance to break into the side.
“We have not had a lot of luck with injuries in recent years. You can’t help getting injuries over the course of the season but we seem to have picked up more than most. Hopefully it will be our turn to have a settled team and a strong squad to pick from over the course of the campaign.
“Just like the fans we are all looking forward to the fixtures coming out this week and seeing who we are playing on the first game of the season.
“There is always optimism at the start of every campaign but I feel this year it is justified. It will be the new manager’s first full season. Although the gaffer has made a few subtle changes since coming in, there will be bigger changes for us to see behind the scenes in the weeks ahead and hopefully that will lead to a change in our fortunes for the supporters to see on a Saturday.”
RedTV | to watch the interview in full please click here
