Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes’ perseverance and patience paid off yesterday when he finally got his man in signing Josh Parker.
The English attacker has joined the Dons on loan from Red Star Belgrade until January and McInnes is delighted to get the 24-year-old on board after almost bringing him to Scotland with former club St Johnstone.
The Aberdeen manager is a huge admirer of Parker, who is in the squad for tomorrow’s game against Dundee at Pittodrie, and hopes the attacking player can bring pace, drive and goals to the club.
He said: “Josh will bring flexibility at the top end of the pitch. He can play centre forward or wide; he can play off either position and brings real pace in that area of the pitch.
“He’s exceptionally quick, he’s talented, he can finish and we feel as though we’re getting him at the right time.
“I tried to sign him when I was at St Johnstone and he was a youngster at QPR and he’s someone I’ve been aware of and have taken an interest in.
“The deal fell through at their end and we were disappointed about that because we were quite excited at the thought of working with him.”
Parker has spent the last two years in Europe playing in Slovenia and Serbia but McInnes has high hopes for the player.
He said: “He had a difficult period. A lot was expected of him because of his potential and he went out on loan on occasion and things didn’t quite go his way.
“But I’m more interested in what he’s been doing in the last 18 months or so and he has shown the form in that period that suggests he’s on his way back and his goal return has been good in that time.
“His pace is still in real evidence and he is someone we’ve been monitoring since the end of last season. We’re looking forward to getting him on board, though he has a challenge to force his way into the team.
“He’s more than capable in bringing what we need and facing the demands of what we’re going to face.”
After the signing of Parker McInnes does not expect any more arrivals at Pittodrie before the window closes on September 1.
The Dons manager said: “Unless there is a real emergency, there will be no more players coming in. We have maximised the budget as best we can. We put together the strongest squad we could and I’m delighted with that.”