Aberdeen’s Mark Reynolds wary of St Mirren fight

Aberdeen centre-back Mark Reynolds, right, sticking to 'one game at a time' mantra. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Ahead of the visit of the Buddies today, Derek McInnes’ side are unbeaten in 12 Scottish Premiership games and sit three points behind league leaders Celtic, albeit they have played a game more than the champions.

Conversely, the Paisley side are only three points above bottom side Ross County, but Reynolds remembers last September when a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie denied Aberdeen two vital points.

The former Motherwell player told REDTV: “They have obviously been struggling but they have managed to pull out a few good results. And when you have a team down there fighting for their lives they are always a bit more dangerous, so we know it is going to be a tough game.

“If we don’t turn up, don’t give 100 per cent and don’t go into the game fully committed, then they can beat us.

“It is a team down there fighting for survival so we need to give them the proper respect, but on the same hand we are going into the game with a lot of confidence.

“We are on a good run of results and we want to keep it going, and if we play the way we have played in the last few weeks we should get the three points.”

Like all the Aberdeen players and management, Reynolds is sticking rigorously to the ‘one game at a time’ mantra when asked about the possibility of beating Celtic to the title. However, he did wilt momentarily when asked if he thought it was possible to go unbeaten to the end of the season.

“I don’t see why not,” he said. “But as I have said before football is a very strange game. It is hard to predict what is going to happen on Saturday, never mind the next 13 games. There are a lot of factors come into it.

“For us it has always been one game at a time and if you start thinking any further beyond that you start tripping yourself up.

“We have enough slap downs this season to remind us that we can’t think ahead of ourselves.

“We know that if we try to write this game off it could come back and bite us, so we will give it our full attention.”

Meanwhile, St Mirren have completed the signing of former Falkirk and Rangers midfielder Alan Gow after a successful trial.

The 32-year-old has spent ten days training with Gary Teale’s squad and featured in their friendly clash with new MLS outfit New York City last week. And the Buddies boss has now seen enough to offer him a deal until the end of the season.

Subject to international clearance, Gow – whose last club was Bristol Rovers – will go into the squad for Saturday’s Sgame. While the Pittodrie trip could offer the Buddies faithful a glimpse of their latest arrival, they will also get the chance to renew acquaintances with former Paisley midfielder Kenny McLean, just three weeks on from his £300,000 switch to Derek McInnes’ side.

McLean was allowed to move north after striking a deal with Saints chairman Stewart Gilmour during the summer.

Although he was out of contract six months ago, the 23-year-old agreed a new two-year deal but only on the condition he would be allowed to move on if a suitable offer came in for him.

McInnes made his move just hours before the transfer window shut and has settled in well to the Dons midfield.

But his form team-mate Jim Goodwin believes the Scotland Under-21 international should already be eyeing his next move. The Irish defender said: “We wish Kenny every success up there – just not on Saturday.

“He’s a terrific player who is very talented. Since I arrived here I’ve expected him to get a move every year.

“But since the start of the season this has been the most consistent he has been. He has matured a hell of a lot as a player.

“Going to Aberdeen is a terrific move for him. In this country there are two sides young players would love to move to and they are Aberdeen and Celtic, with the both of them flying high.”

With Gow offering another option in midfield, Teale will hope his side do not suffer too much at the hands of their former Buddie on Saturday – especially as they could end up bottom of the table if results go against them.