Gavin Rae secures Pittodrie switch at last as Aberdeen forward plan

ABERDEEN manager Craig Brown admits practical pragmatism prompted the arrival of veterans Gavin Rae and Stephen Hughes because he may be forced to sell highly-rated teenagers Ryan Jack and Fraser Fyvie.

Hughes agreed a deal until the summer of 2014 last week while Rae completed his move from Dundee by signing an 18-month contract yesterday.

Brown believes that has been a brilliant bit of business as Kari Arnason is leaving at the end of this season and he is worried Jack and Fyvie could be going soon as well.

The products of the Pittodrie youth academy are two of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Scottish game and Aberdeen are determined to get a realistic return if they do move on.

After all, in the last six months they have lost Chris Maguire, Sone Aluko and Jack Grimmer under freedom of contract leaving them with just paltry sums in development compensation in return.

Manchester City had two representatives at Pittodrie to watch Fyvie and Jack during last weekend’s win against Dunfermline but they are just the latest club to show an interest.

The Aberdeen manager fears it’s only a matter of time before bids are made for the pair and by adding the experienced duo he is just preparing for a worst case scenario.

He said: “Gavin Rae and Stephen Hughes are here because we want to make sure that there is strength in depth going into next season.

“It will be said that we have too many midfield players but I disagree. Milsom and Osbourne are injured and we have had to move Ryan Jack to full back to cover injuries and suspensions.

“These two new players will give us more options and provide insurance if we do end up losing players. Fyvie’s contract is up a year from now and there is a chance that he will leave at some stage.

“Arnason is leaving and there is a possibility that someone could come in for Jack because he has been doing so well this season. You must keep planning ahead all the time.

“Rae is the ideal replacement for Arnason as he can do the same job in midfield. We have signed Hughes as well but are looking at others in the event of losing any of our midfield players.”

One midfielder who won’t be going anywhere is Isaac Osbourne after the Dons announced last night that he has signed a new contract that will keep him at Pittodrie until 2013.

Osbourne, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury picked up in the Scottish Cup win at Forfar earlier this month, said: “I could not turn down the offer to stay on at such a big club. Hopefully, if not this season, next season we will get into a cup final or into Europe. I want to be part of that.”

Brown is still hoping to bring in former West Ham United striker Danny Uchechi on loan from FC Dender if the team in Nigeria’s top division agree to Aberdeen’s demands.

However, the Dons manager has revealed that he turned down the chance to sign Estonian striker Henrik Ojamaa who has scored three goals in his last two games for Motherwell.

Brown added: “We took some soundings on him and chose to look at other options. Ojamaa has gone on to do well for Motherwell but we are hoping to secure someone who is even better.”

Meanwhile, Rae, 34, is delighted to be an Aberdeen player at last as he thought his last chance to join the club he supported as a boy had gone in the summer.

He held talks on a deal with Brown before going on holiday to Australia but by the time he got back the manager had used up his budget on other players.

Rae said: “I always thought I would play for Aberdeen some day but I thought that chance had gone in the summer. I was supposed to be coming here then but it didn’t materialise so I am delighted to get the deal done now.

“Coming to my home town team and the one I have supported for years was a big lure for me to sign and do well for Aberdeen. I used to sit in the Merkland Road Stand with my dad and watch the games when I was young but now I’m looking forward to playing for the Dons.

“Craig Brown gave me my first Scotland cap so I have an affinity with him for that but he has built a strong squad here and hopefully we can be successful in the league and win cups.”

There will be no debut against Queen of the South this Saturday, though, as Rae is cup tied with Dundee. A hamstring injury means he is unlilkely to be fit for an SPL debut at Easter Road the following weekend either, with the home game against St Johnstone a fortnight on Sunday the probable target.