Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has stated that Aberdeen will go back into the transfer market- if they progress to the Europa League third qualifying round.
The second round tie with Chikhura Sachkhere is currently tied at 1-1, although Aberdeen have the away goal advantage. They’ll hope to finish the job at Pittodrie.
McInnes will hope to get the job done against the Georgians. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
McInnes has said that he’ll go back into the market if they progress.
He told the Daily Record: “We may look to bring a defender in if we get through tomorrow evening. It’s not ideal. We had a lot of injuries last season, particularly to our back line.
“We know how important it is to get a steady back four but I’ve not been able to do that even through pre-season. “We’re put under a bit of strain as soon as you get two or three injuries in that area of the pitch.
Defensive woes for the Dons. (Photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“It’s the same in central midfield, where we maybe have four guys who can play in there. We’ve got a bit more option with wider players and at centre forward but certainly defensively we could do with bringing one more in if we can get through this tie.”
Aberdeen perhaps needed a defensive transfer boost anyway
The need for a defender stems from injuries to Mikey Devlin and Ash Taylor. They’ll both miss the second leg at Pittodrie, with Andy Considine likely to fill in at centre-half.
It’d obviously be better to have a natural centre-half, so McInnes is correct, Aberdeen do need another defender. Even without the injuries, they probably needed a defensive transfer boost anyway.
McInnes needed reinforcements anyway. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
They’re light at the back, which recent injuries have shown. Not only are they light at the back, but the quality of cover has been thrown into question.
Taylor’s Europa League performances have been far from inspiring and have gained criticism from sections of the Aberdeen support. Who knows how he’ll be at domestic level, but in Europe, he hasn’t been great.
Another quality defender is needed to provide cover to the likes of Scott McKenna. That way, if someone is injured, there’s another equally good defender waiting in the wings.
McInnes is short at the back. (Photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
McInnes would’ve hoped for progression against Chikhura anyway. He’ll be even more determined to see the Dons through this tie now.