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Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne vows to back Derek McInnes in the January transfer window

Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne says transfer funds will be available.
Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne says transfer funds will be available.

Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne has confirmed he will give Dons manager Derek McInnes money to spend in the January transfer window.

There was a major overhaul in the playing squad at Pittodrie in the summer following several key departures, including Jonny Hayes, Niall McGinn, Peter Pawlett, Ash Taylor and Ryan Jack.

The club spent around £550,000 on signing Preston forward Stevie May and Celtic winger Gary Mackay-Steven, who netted a hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-1 win against Hibernian. Caley Thistle midfielder Greg Tansey, Kari Arnason and Nicky Maynard were also recruited, while Greg Stewart, Ryan Christie and Dominic Ball joined on loan.

But Milne said funds will be made available to strengthen the squad when the transfer window opens next month.

Speaking after last night’s annual general meeting, Milne said: “Derek is keen to freshen up the squad if he can.

“There are no major changes planned as I think everyone acknowledges a lot of time, money and effort went into putting the squad together in the summer.

“We have seen that squad gelling in recent games so it would be totally wrong to do major surgery.

“But if Derek wants to freshen up the squad then we will back him in every way we can.”

The Dons travel to Celtic Park this weekend hoping to inflict more misery on Brendan Rodgers’ side after their 69-game unbeaten domestic run came to an abrupt end with a 4-0 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle.

The result leaves the Dons only two points behind the Scottish Premiership leaders, who have a game in hand.

Milne admitted it will be very difficult for McInnes’ side to mount a genuine title challenge against the Hoops given the difference in resources but believes they can close the gap.

He said: “I don’t think anyone should get carried away by what happened on Sunday. That was an event that had to come at some point and time,  that somebody was going to beat Celtic.

“Celtic are still a very powerful side. I think what is encouraging is that we’re starting to see multiple teams in the top half of the league beginning to show some form now.

“We’ve always said here that if we can see those other teams capable of taking points off Celtic then that gives us all a chance to keep that gap as close as possible.

“Derek’s aim is that we’ve just got to look after our own results. If we do that effectively between now and the end of the season then that keeps the pressure on Celtic. That’s what we want to do, but we need other clubs.

“It’s great to see Hearts’ performance on Sunday. It’s great to see St Johnstone showing what they’re capable of doing as well, and Hibs, perhaps everyone expected more from them here but it was their third tough game in a fairly short period of time. But our guys hit good form and made the most of the game.”