ABERDEEN finished runners-up to Celtic again last year, but nevertheless contrived to leave Derek McInnes with a decision to make.
His team were generally good to watch and, on their day, a match for anyone.
At the same time, there were uncomfortable questions raised about the collective bottle of the Aberdeen players.
Every time they got themselves into a position where they were mounting a serious challenge to Celtic, they would slip up in a game in which, on all form, they would be expected to win.
There is little use in winning away to one of the country’s top teams in midweek if you then follow it up with a goalless draw at home to one of the ones at the bottom.
If it was frustrating for the supporters, it would have been utterly exasperating for McInnes.
Manager
DEREK McINNES is a very-gifted manager.
He could have decided there wasn’t much wrong at the end of last season and opted more or less to soldier on, figuring the group were already better than anyone else outside of Celtic.
Instead, he has addressed head on the issues which had been of most concern over the year.
It was clear for me, and I am sure many others, that Aberdeen were a much weaker side when Adam Rooney was absent.
To counter that problem, Miles Storey, impressive on loan to Inverness Caley Thistle from Swindon, has been recruited, along with Jayden Stockley from Bournemouth.
6’ 3” tall and just 22 years old, the latter will provide a different attacking option for the times when Plan A isn’t working out.
Two decent goalkeepers – Joe Lewis from Cardiff City and Neil Alexander, once of Rangers, Hearts and Scotland – have also been added.
And Callum Morris, who looked a solid stopper prior to his release from Dundee United, has also been picked up to re-inforce the centre of defence, an area which had definitely given concern.
Combined, the moves show decent intent, especially as there is still a possibility of another loan player being brought in.
And, as in seasons before, I expect the managerial skills of McInnes himself to be a positive for the Dons in the weeks and months ahead.
Most important player
JONNY HAYES has been Aberdeen’s most-impressive player for the last couple of years, and was outstanding last season.
If, as I expect, the Irishman can reproduce that form, the Dons will trouble all defences.
He is the key to all their attacking play.
Finishing position
Third place.
They will be up there challenging, but not for the title and that has been the case over the last two years.
Even with the additions to their ranks, I think they will find it hard to finish anywhere else other than the best of the rest outside the Old Firm.
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