Derek McInnes pre-match press conference before going to St Johnstone tomorrow was dominated by Scott Wright’s impending departure.
The forward has signed a pre-contract agreement with Rangers meaning he will leave the club at the end of the season.
McInnes was coy on whether Wright could leave before that saying only time will tell whether the forward remains an Aberdeen player for the remainder of the season.
McInnes also said there had been no offers for another target in his team Sam Cosgrove, who is rumoured to be wanted by Sheffield Wednesday.
In the last two seasons Cosgrove has been the Dons’ top goalscorer with 20 plus goals but has only three in the league this campaign. After a long term injury and, being from the North of England, could the striker long for a return closer to home?
McInnes said at the press conference: “Only time will tell if Scott stays at Pittodrie for the reminder of the season. It is up to the club to get an offer and to decide if they want to move a player on and that is still the case. The only correspondence we have had with Rangers is to notify us that they have agreed a pre contract with Scott.
“I gave him his debut at 16. The maturity of Scott this season has been clear, with the added responsibility he has taken on. I have not seen a downturn in his performances or in his commitment since he has come back into the team.
“There have been a few conversations had with a few clubs about Sam Cosgrove but there has been no concrete offer for him.”
Further articles:
–Result: Aberdeen Beat Motherwell 2-0 To Move Back To Third In The SPL
–Inquest: Can McInnes Reinvigorate Aberdeen After Crushing Defeat To Ross County?
–Rangers And Celtic Offer Clubs £1m Sweetener In Order To Be Allowed To Enter ‘Colts’ Teams Into Scottish Division Two
Aberdeen have no new injury worries for the game other than Ross McCrorie and Dylan McGeouch. McGeouch is close to a return but won’t make the trip to Perth, whilst McCrorie is out for a lengthier spell with a muscle injury.
Aberdeen last played St Johnstone in December winning 2-1 at Pittodrie with goals from Sam Cosgrove and Ash Taylor and that’s the last time the Saints lost, currently being undefeated in their last five.
Aberdeen have a perfect record against the Saints this season having beaten them 1-0 in the Dons second game of the league campaign, but the Dons will have to be weary of a Saints side that might be a different beast this time around having reached the Scottish League Cup final for the first time in over two decades.
Saints manager Callum Davidson played under McInnes who said he was delighted for his former player leading the team to a cup final after beating Hibs 3-0 on Saturday.
McInnes said of the Saints’ achievement and the game: “I am delighted for Callum, in his first full season, to get the club into a cup final. They have dealt with the game and having watched the game back I thought they were good value in the game, they were very confident.
“They are a very capable side and they have shown that. It will be a tough game and they will be flying high with confidence.”
St Johnstone vs Aberdeen, Wednesday, SPL, KO 6:00pm.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 