Ross McCrorie wants to achieve something special with Aberdeen.
The 22 year-old is set to be pitched straight into action at St Johnstone tonight with Derek McInnes planning on handing his new recruit a starting role on his debut for the Dons in Perth.
It is an immediate show of faith from the manager in the former Rangers player following his move to Pittodrie on a four-year deal.
McInnes is full of praise for his new arrival, who he believes will become a Scotland international, and it is clear McCrorie holds his new manager in equal high esteem.
He said: “I just want to add to the success they had with the League Cup they won not long ago. I want to win trophies with the club and do something special.
“I have watched Aberdeen over the years and the consistency has been there. They have been right up there. The reason for me coming was the gaffer here.
“I sat down and spoke to him. Not just that, what he’s already done for the club since he has been here has been magnificent. That is another reason for coming.” “I just want to add to the success they had with the League Cup they won not long ago. I want to win trophies with the club and do something special.”
McCrorie, a product of the youth system at Rangers, spent last season on loan at English League One side Portsmouth and following his return to Ibrox he quickly came to the realisation it was time to put himself first.
He said: “I felt as if I stayed at Rangers I would more or less stagnate. It was stopping my development. That’s what I felt at the time.
“When I came back from Pompey I told them straightaway that it was time for me to move on and do my own thing.
“The option of Aberdeen came up and I thought that it was the right time and the right club to come to and get playing.”
Despite being with Rangers as a youngster, having come through the ranks with his twin brother Robby, McCrorie says the decision to call time on his Rangers career was an easy one to make.
He said: “It was pretty easy for me to be fair. I had to do what was best for my career. Coming to Aberdeen I think is the best option for my career and the best pathway, especially with a manager like Derek McInnes – I should call him gaffer now – who I think is the best manager to develop me.
“Steven Gerrard respected my decision. That is what he said when I told him I wanted to leave. “Rangers then helped me to get things sorted but I am an Aberdeen player now and that is what I am focused on.”
McCrorie is willing to play anywhere for the Dons but it seems central midfield is the role his new manager has in mind for him.
He said: “I think it is wherever the manager chooses to play me. But I feel comfortable in a couple of positions.
“Obviously at Rangers I was a centre midfielder the whole time I was there but I can drop back into a back three or whatever, so I don’t have a preferred option. Wherever the manager wants me to play I will play it.”
The route from Ibrox to Pittodrie is one which has not been travelled too often in players moving from Rangers to Aberdeen but McCrorie has been flattered by the warm reception he has received on moving north and hopes he can repay those who have wished him well.
He said: “The fans have been tremendous since I came up here. I have had a load of messages and I am grateful for them.
“They have been really good to me and it is up to me to repay them with good performances and hopefully to help in a successful Aberdeen team.”
