Derek McInnes says he was flattered by Sir Alex Ferguson’s glowing praise for this season’s Aberdeen team.
Sir Alex, the Dons’ most successful manager, complimented McInnes for the manner in which his Reds have started the season when he returned to Aberdeen this week to promote his new autobiography and help conduct the Scottish Cup fourth-round draw.
The former Manchester United manager also claimed there was “every chance” McInnes’s squad could end the Pittodrie club’s 18-year trophy drought.
McInnes said: “It’s nice to hear Sir Alex talking about Aberdeen in such a positive way. Normally when he’s asked about Aberdeen it is about past glories but it was pleasing to see him talking positively about the future.
“You can see he has a real affinity with the club. I don’t think you’ll hear him ever speaking about Aberdeen in a negative way but it was a boost for everyone at the club to hear him saying he liked how things were going.”
The Dons have, however, been dealt a blow ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Hearts, with Clark Robertson expected to be sidelined for three months with a knee injury sustained in last month’s 2-0 League Cup quarter-final win against Motherwell. McInnes said: “It looks like Clark will be out for up to 12 weeks.”