The ideal scenario for Aberdeen would be to secure Celtic’s Liam Scales on a permanent contract this summer.
Aberdeen are reportedly set to step up a bid to secure the left-sided defender from the Hoops.
There has been talk of a potential loan to buy move or even a loan.
However if a permanent deal can be done and the situation agreed financially that is the Rolls Royce position for the Dons.
A permanent deal for Scales would certainly be the most advantageous for the Dons and manager Jim Goodwin.
Backing their judgement on the player and moving to sign him on a permanent would be the best situation for every party concerned.
If a permanent deal for Scales cannot be done, then the next option would be a loan to buy deal.
That is a deal that Aberdeen have previously used successfully when taking Ross McCrorie in from Rangers.
McCrorie arrived on an initial season-long loan in the summer of 2020 with part of the deal being he would sign permanently for Aberdeen a year later.
That permanent move was pushed forward in January 2021 and McCrorie has been a key player for the Dons.
If neither a permanent nor loan to buy scenarios can happen then there is still the option of a loan.
I don’t think fans should look at loan players as anything other than offering the chance to improve the squad and the team’s performances.
Obviously it is always better if there is some kind of deal at the end of a loan period rather than loanees just playing then leaving.
However, the loan set-up is one that has to be used by clubs.
Defender Scales was brought over from Shamrock Rovers by Celtic last summer.
He will be a player-manager Jim Goodwin will know very well as he will have a strong knowledge of the Irish leagues and market.
Goodwin will also know Scales from his time in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Scales is 23 years old which is a good age for a defender.
Left-sided centre-back is an area the manager has highlighted he needs to strengthen.
The manager has made it clear he wants to substantially strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window.
However, signing players takes time to plan and for negotiations to be completed.
Ramadani proof of work on recruitment side by Aberdeen
Midfielder Ylber Ramadani will be an unknown quantity to most observers in Scotland.
Albanian international Ramadani is proof of work being done on the recruitment side by Aberdeen.
There will be a trust in the recruitment department to ensure the player is of a quality that will improve the squad.
It is good news that Ramadani’s signing is just about there pending the work permit.
When the new signings do arrive they will be part of the Dons’ pre-season training camp in Spain.
Overseas training camps in the sun have been restricted over the previous two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is always good to get the group away so that the new signings can get to know the squad.
They can do that away from the normal day to day business of training at Cormack Park.
For a week in Spain they will be living in one another’s pockets.
It will offer the manager and his coaching staff the opportunity to really double down on what he wants the squad to do in the new season.
It is really important in a manager’s first full season at a club that he gets the players he wants into the squad.
He also must know his players inside out. A week away with them in Spain will give Goodwin an insight into their personalities as well as the quality on the field of play.
It will also give Goodwin the opportunity for one to ones with players in a more relaxed atmosphere. It will be vital to preparations for the new campaign.
Scots cannot dwell on play-off pain
Scotland have an immediate opportunity to bounce back from their World Cup heartache when facing Armenia tomorrow.
Losing 3-1 to Ukraine in the World Cup play-off semi-final last week was a bitter blow.
It is a huge disappointment for the players, manager and supporters.
The opportunity to qualify for the World Cup was there and they couldn’t take it.
That is now in the past and the UEFA Nations League matches coming up against Armenia and Republic of Ireland are vital.
As much as missing out on Qatar 2022Â hurts the Scots cannot dwell on that pain.
Which is why it is good Scotland are straight back into competitive action when facing Armenia in the Nations League at Hampden.
When you come off a disappointment the last thing you want is for it to fester away without the opportunity to put things right.
Scotland have the opportunity to put things right at Hampden tomorrow night.
However, it won’t be easy as Armenia beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 in the Nations League on Saturday.
The upcoming UEFA Nations League games offer an immediate opportunity to show the Ukraine setback was a one-off.
To prove that the form shown prior to that World Cup play-off loss is the real Scotland.
Under boss Steve Clarke Scotland had been performing at a high level prior to the loss to Ukraine.
Clarke has the squad believing in themselves.
They went into the Ukraine game with great hope of being able to win to set up the World Cup play-off final clash with Wales in Cardiff.
Unfortunately, Scotland delivered a disjoined performance.
There is no case to put forward that they deserved anything other than defeat against Ukraine.
Now they have an immediate opportunity against Armenia to get back on track – and the Scots must take it.
Cove Rangers blow as Hartley exits
The loss of manager Paul Hartley is a major blow for Cove Rangers just weeks after he led them to the League One title.
Hartley has left Cove Rangers to take over the managerial post at League Two Hartlepool United.
During his time at Cove Rangers he led them to the League One and League Two titles to raise them up to the Championship.
Hartley will be sadly missed by Cove Rangers but these things happen in football.
If you have a player or manager that is doing extremely well then other clubs are going to be looking at them.
You just have to deal with it and move on – which is where Cove Rangers are now.
The rise of Cove Rangers in recent years has been sensational.
Now they have the issue of finding the right manager to continue to lead them forward and that will not be easy.
Cove Rangers can today confirm that first team manager Paul Hartley will be leaving the club to join Hartlepool United.
Full statement below 👇
— Cove Rangers FC (@CoveRangersFC) June 3, 2022
At least Hartley’s exit came during the summer break which has given them breathing space to look at the managerial scene.
The problem with this one is that when a new manager comes in it is normally on the back of a manager not doing particularly well.
In this case whoever takes on the Cove Rangers job will face a very challenging prospect in following the success of Hartley.
Cove Rangers have had nothing but success in recent years and will be looking to continue that in the Championship in the new season.
That won’t be easy but Cove Rangers are an ambitious club and I wish them well.
You also have to wish Hartley well as he has left a successful legacy at the club for someone to carry on.
The task in hand for Cove Rangers now is to go and get the right man.
