Recruiting a new striker and a central defender should be Derek McInnes’ top priorities this summer, according to former Aberdeen forward Frank McDougall.
Aberdeen manager McInnes promised a drastic overhaul of his squad at the end of the season following Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Motherwell.
McDougall, who was top scorer for the Reds in 1985 and 1986, believes new additions are required at both ends of the pitch.
The 60-year-old said: “I think Derek McInnes will have made up his mind about a few players after the Motherwell performance.
“I know they were missing three important players through suspension but it was a shocking display.
“A new striker and a centre-half should be top priority this summer.
“Scott McKenna is a good player but he needs someone alongside him.
“They also need a couple of wide players but a good centre-forward who scores goals is paramount.
“Graeme Shinnie was a big miss but Motherwell were also missing their captain.
“When you have injuries, you need players ready to come in who are of the right calibre.”
McDougall also believes securing a fourth consecutive runners-up finish in the top flight will be tough ask for McInnes’ men.
The Dons are level on points with second-place Rangers with five games remaining, while Hibernian are three points behind.
McDougall added: “The only thing they can go for now is second place and that is going to be tough.
“They have to beat Hibs and Rangers which won’t be easy.
“The one good thing is Rangers also suffered a heavy defeat against Celtic at Hampden on Sunday at the weekend.
“They will still want to finish second to try to salvage something from the season.
“Hibernian are sitting in fourth sport, minding their own business and you can’t rule them out.
“It is going to be really difficult.”