Aberdeen V Dundee at Pittodrie Stadium : Match Preview

16 January 2015 16:31
Aberdeen V Dundee - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


McInnes aware of Dundee threat

Derek McInnes needs no reminding of the problems Aberdeen may face when Dundee visit on Saturday.

The only defeat the high-flying Dons have suffered in the last nine games was against Paul Hartley's side in the Scottish Cup at Dens Park in November.

However, eight successive league wins without the loss of a goal have taken the Pittodrie club four points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, albeit the champions have two games in hand.

With all eyes on Aberdeen to see if they can make it nine in a row against a side who are full of confidence after thrashing Motherwell 4-1 last week, the Dons boss told the club's official website: "We are just focusing on the Dundee game and not getting caught up with anything else.

"It will be a tough game. Dundee have match winners who can make a difference.

"We have moved on from the cup defeat. It was a while ago now.

"Funnily enough we won the league game at Dens Park despite not playing that well and then we lost the cup game when I though our performance was good.

"Since then the players have been outstanding for me.

"But we know Dundee are a good side. They got a good result last week and got back to winning ways and they will feel good coming here on the back of that.

"But for us, the next game cannot come soon enough. The players are itching to get back out there in front of a very big crowd cheering us on."

Only seven points separate the top five sides at the top of the table, an unusual situation which McInnes welcomed.

"It is good that there are five teams up there near the top of the league," said the former St Johnstone and Bristol City boss, who is looking to "bring one or two" players in during the transfer window, including Jeffrey Monakana who returned to Brighton earlier in the month after a loan spell at Pittodrie in the first part of the season.

"It is right that other clubs are recognised as well as ourselves.

"I think most people would want to see a competitive league and at the minute it is like that with a number of teams doing very well.

"We are just glad we are in amongst in but there is still a long way to go. "

Willo Flood returns to the Aberdeen squad following a family bereavement.

Declan McManus comes back in after being suspended.

Clark Robertson and Craig Storie are fit again but Russell Anderson, Scott McKenna and Nicky Low are all unavailable through injury.

Meanwhile, Dundee striker Greg Stewart has signed a new contract - sparking "ecstasy" at Dens Park.

The 24-year-old has extended his stay after scoring 11 goals in 23 games since joining from Cowdenbeath in the summer.

A club statement read: "Dundee Football Club are ecstatic to announce that Greg Stewart has signed a new contract with the club.

"The new deal for Greg has seen him commit his future to stay with the club until at least the end of 2016/17."

Stewart made the step-up in the summer along with team-mate Paul McGinn, who signed from Dumbarton, and the left-back feels he has adapted well to the Scottish Premiership.

McGinn previously emulated brothers Stephen and John by signing for St Mirren but failed to make the first team at Paisley and was determined to follow in their footsteps as top-flight players.

"I have enjoyed it," the 24-year-old said. "The manager has been good with me but I always thought I would be able to play in the top flight.

"I had a really good start to the season and then a wee spell where I got sent off against my brother's team, which I heard a lot about, but aside from that I have been pretty happy with how I have played.

"Everyone in the lower leagues strives to get in the top leagues, and I had my two brothers who did it, so that was a motivation too.

"They always told me to give it time, that I would get my break."

Manager Hartley has a long list of injury doubts for the trip.

James McPake is expected to miss out again with a cracked rib while Gary Irvine (ribs), Kevin McBride (thigh), Simon Ferry (ankle), Jim McAlister (groin) and David Clarkson (ankle) are all doubtful.

Goalkeeper Kyle Letheren remains out with a thigh injury and midfielder Paul McGowan is suspended.


Source: PA