Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty believes his side’s warm weather training camp in Dubai will ensure they aren’t caught cold by St Mirren in the Scottish Cup.
The Dons arrived in the United Arab Emirates last night ahead of their five-day training camp at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence which culminates with a friendly against Uzbekistan champions Lokomotiv Tashkent on Sunday.
One Aberdeen player who was not on the flight from Glasgow to Dubai was midfielder Greg Tansey, who completed his loan move to Ross County yesterday.
The 29-year-old, who joined the Dons on a three-year deal from Caley Thistle in the summer, will spend the rest of the season with Owen Coyle’s Staggies, who are bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
The Dons will return to competitive action a week on Saturday when Jack Ross’ Buddies travel to Pittodrie with a place in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup at stake.
The Championship leaders, who have won five of their past six matches, continue their quest for promotion against Dumbarton this weekend.
Docherty has warned his players they can’t afford to take it easy in Dubai with such a tricky Scottish Cup test just around the corner.
The Dons assistant said: “It is important that this was not just a training camp which is why we arranged a game at the end of it.
“We are coming straight back to a Scottish Cup game which will be a tricky tie against a good St Mirren team.
“It is not a jolly in Dubai, it is very much a training camp to focus on the latter part of the season.
“The facilities are fantastic and it is important that you have a good environment for the players.
“The winter break is going to be very beneficial.
“We saw that last year. It was pivotal to our end to the season.
“It was important that the boys got a rest as they haven’t had much time off since the start of the Europa League.
“The training camp really focuses us on the latter part of the season.
“We saw that last year as it was when we emerged from the winter break that we really hit a positive run of form.
“We will be looking to do that again.”