Injury update

“He’s been scanned (Graeme).

“First of all, we got him x-rayed and there was no concern there, but we got the scan and there is ligament damage and it’ll keep him out.

“The feeling would be that he’d be out between four and six weeks, which means there’s a chance that it would keep him out for the season. There has been improvement in the last couple of days and Graeme is of the mindset, typical him – he’s positive that he can be hopefully back by the Hibs game on the last day of the season.

“It’s a blow and we’re pretty stretched with injuries at the minute without some key players.

“Getting him back and missing Lewis last week is similar this week with Lewis back and Graeme unavailable and won’t travel. That’s on top of the other injuries in the wider areas and creativity side of it with Gary, Niall and Greg, it leaves us a bit short and an emphasis to lean on the younger ones again.

“This season in general has been as bad as its been.

“The number of injuries has been good over the years and very fortunate because it’s a contact sport and you have to deal with these types of things. I think this year in particular we’ve had so much more to contend with and hasn’t helped matters.”

Younger ones stepping up

“There’s always the trade off when you’re missing key players.

“We don’t run with a huge squad of what others have, but we have a tight squad which means that when there is injuries there’s an opportunity.

“Some of these younger players got into the team when there weren’t injuries, but have managed to impose themselves on proceedings and bring a level of performance. That is the trade of from having the squad stretched a bit, you get to find out a wee bit more about those boys.

“They’ll be prepared.

“We needed a lot of things to go well in the semi-final and clearly we were well in the game until the sending off. That had a huge impact on the game and it had nothing to do with the amount of younger players. We needed a lot of things to go our way, but we’ve dealt with injuries before and still managed to get positive results.

“We don’t have the luxury of the huge squads and when we’re without five or six starters at any given time then naturally it can have an impact on the team you pick. There’s still an emphasis on any Aberdeen team that plays to go be as competitive as we can, get everything we can with the boys that are playing and get the positive results.”

Aiming for a fourth win in Glasgow against Rangers

“The intention is to go and win the game.

“Every time we’ve played Rangers whether it’s home or away you’d have to say they’d be favourites for it. They’ve got a fantastic squad and the luxury of a huge squad to choose from. They always seem to be in good form when we play them which is probably a testament of the work that’s been done there.

“They’re a good side, but we’ve had to face them when they’ve been in free scoring form before. I was very impressed with their performance last week against Hearts having watched it and we’re well aware of the strengths of Rangers. We’ve got to go down there and be as competitive as we’ve been. Hopefully we have a similar outcome.

“Our away form has been very good and it’s not just against Rangers. Last week was another demonstration of that against a team who everybody regards as a top side. We’ve found ways to win and again with what we’ve got available to us we have to maybe not pick our best team in the way we want to play all the time, but find a way that suits what we’ve got.”

Thoughts on Aberdeen raising their game against Rangers

“I think we raise our game every game.

“We want to play every game and don’t always get the results, but we see every game as an opportunity to win. For us we see travelling as an opportunity to win a game. Our home form could have been better this season especially the second half, but our away form has been second to none.

“They shouldn’t flatter themselves and think it’s just against Celtic and Rangers that we raise our games. We’ve had six years of solid work and we’ve raised our game time and time again against every opponent.

“Naturally it’s a big game and our players will enjoy it.”

Players out on loan

“I’m pleased with some more than others.

“It’s not always an indication of a players future here of how they do on loan and it’s all part of their learning process.”

Budget for next season

“There’s so much to do at the club with the training ground and the financial demands on that to see that through along with the new stadium. The Chairman has said often enough about how the importance of what’s on the pitch being the key driving force behind everything. It’s important at our club we find ways to increase the playing budget for us to be doing what we want to do. I’m sure the Chairman would like to give us more because he, like every supporter wants the best team that we possibly can on the pitch, but we have to live within our means.

“That’s the difference between where we currently are as a club and what we’ve done in the past.
Before my time where the club got into debt and tried to push the boat out. I would like the playing budget to be more than what it is as would the Chairman and as would every supporter, but I’m grateful that we see the importance of still trying to be as competitive as we can with a budget.”

Recruitment drive

“It’s not just the summer, it’s ongoing and started long ago.

“We’re making inroads on a few things and we’ve had plenty phone calls and conversations and plenty of games to take in. We’ll see how it all plays out, but the focus is clearly very important on the summer.

Contract situation

“There’s no updates.

“Obviously Gary’s injured at the minute and he’s working his way back to getting back before the end of the season.

“Shinnie, we could all do with a bit of clarity on that, but I think there’s a few things going on with his decision making. We want both players, but when it gets to this stage of the season as a manager you’re not daft. You’re starting to prepare for life without them, but the opportunity for both to stay is still there. I’ve got to prepare for life next season without them.

“I think Greg (Stewart) comes into that category as well. We speak to his agent often enough, but there’s no updates on the contract situations. I’d like to be able to tell you, but there’s nothing to tell.”

Any other team news?

“Ferguson is back as I said with Shinnie, Gary, Greg, Niall, Tommie and Frank out. There’s a positive sign in terms of Shay’s back doing a bit of work in training this week. The game will come too soon for him this week, but hopefully with another full week’s training behind him all being well he could maybe be part of the squad to face Celtic.”

Scotland vacancy

“I’ve already answered the question a couple of times.

“I tried to answer it last week the best I could, I answered it before the game on Saturday, post-match and I answered it during the week again in an interview so for me you can’t be asked every time about the Scotland job until they appoint a manager.

“I’ve said it’s something I would be interested in the future and I think for any Scottish manager the ambition for the majority would be to manage their country at some point. I’ve got enough going on with Aberdeen at the minute as we’ve just alluded to.”