‘I love the boy’ - Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes hails Ross McCrorie

Dons manager thrilled with impact of Scotland Under-21 captain after win over Hibs

Ross McCrorie is all smiles after Aberdeen's 1-0 win against Hibs. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hailed the start Ross McCrorie has made to his Dons career after the Scotland Under-21 captain put in a man-of-the-match display in the Pittodrie outfit’s 1-0 win over Hibs.

McCrorie joined Aberdeen earlier this month despite being courted by Hibs and he was a stand-out performer in midfield, driving his team on to a crucial victory against one of their rivals in the higher echelons of the Premiership.

Aberdeen will fork out the best part of £350,000 next summer to make his loan deal from Ibrox permanent and McInnes could not help gushing about his impact on the team.

“He knows the game and he’s equally at home in various positions,” said McInnes, pictured.

“He played on the right of a three in Europe on Thursday and had the athleticism to break out from there and snuff out the danger. We actually went man for man against their front three because there was a lot of trust in him, [Scott] McKenna and [Andrew] Considine.

“His athleticism gets him out of trouble, his brain gets him out of trouble, gets him into positions. His intelligence and power is relevant, especially in that midfield role.

“I just love the boy. I think he’s a dream on and off the pitch. I like boys who are hungry, I like boys who are motivated. A lot of boys leave the Old Firm and think it’s downhill from there and a lot of them don’t ever go and do anything of note because of that. He is different. He didn’t want to be in the shadows, he didn’t just want to be a Rangers squad player, he wanted to get out and get on with his career, and I love that about him.

“He has been on every list we have ever had in terms of recruiting young Scottish
players. He wasn’t a priority
for me – it was a striker we needed because we had four out – but thankfully the board were supportive and saw the sense in getting an asset in the building.”

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