Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes he has landed a “Rolls Royce” of a player in midfielder Ross McCrorie.
The Scotland under-21 captain, who has joined the Dons on a four-year deal from Rangers, is quickly stamping his impression on his new club after producing another excellent display as the Dons made it four wins in a row at Hibernian yesterday.
McCrorie has featured in all four wins, playing in different positions for the cause, and he was again a key man in the 1-0 win at Easter Road.
A delighted McInnes said: “He’s a Rolls Royce, wherever we play him. Ross knows the game and he is equally at home in various positions. He played right of a three in Europe on Thursday and has the athleticism to break out from there.
“We went man for man against their front three because there is a lot of trust in McCrorie, Andy Considine and Scott McKenna.
“His athleticism gets him out of trouble and his brain gets him into position. He has intelligence and power.”
McCrorie’s display was a huge factor in Aberdeen ending Hibernian’s unbeaten start to the season and McInnes has no doubt his new recruit has a huge future ahead of him.
He said: “I think he will be an international player, it is just a matter of time. I love the boy and he is a dream on and off the pitch.
“I like boys who are hungry and motivated. A lot of boys leave the Old Firm and think it is downhill from there.
“A lot of them, because they think that, don’t go on to do anything of any note. He is different. He didn’t want to just be a Rangers squad player. He wanted to get out and get on with his career and I love that about him. He deserves a lot of credit for that.”
McCrorie could have bided his time at Ibrox, but McInnes is delighted the Dons will benefit from the player’s desire to prove himself now
He said: “I know Rangers see qualities in him, but the fact Ross was in such a hurry to get on and get out is testament to him.
“He will get his reward for that. You need to be playing games between 20 and 23 to fulfil your potential. If you are not playing at that age then you will not have the career you are capable of.
“He is now getting the opportunity to play for us on a regular basis and I only think he will get better.
“I just love him in an Aberdeen shirt and he has been on every list we ever had in terms of recruiting young Scottish players. I hoped, but didn’t know with any certainty, that we would get him.
“Thankfully the board were supportive and saw the sense of that succession planning and getting an asset in the building.”