Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has introduced a running competition to get his squad ‘firing on all cylinders’.
Goodwin is pushing the Dons in pre-season training at the club’s Cormack Park complex in preparation for the new campaign.
The Reds will jet out for a warm weather training camp in Spain next week.
Aberdeen kick-off the campaign with a Premier Sports Cup clash away to League One Peterhead on Sunday, July 10.
Goodwin says he has introduced a competitive edge to training with a leaderboard for running exercises – displayed for all to see.
He said: “We have a leader board in the corridor at Cormack Park.
“It is up there for anyone walking down the corridor to see who is top of the tree in all the different running exercises we do.
“We do sprint tests, longer distance tests, 1,200m runs and also the body fats.
“It was something we introduced when I came in.
“So the guys that are on that piece of paper want to make sure they are on the top of it.”
Closing in on summer signing targets
Aberdeen begin their Premiership campaign with an away clash at league champions Celtic on Sunday July 31.
Goodwin is currently focused on strengthening his squad during the summer transfer window.
Albanian international Ylber Ramadani, the first signing of the summer, was followed by Nottingham Forest right-back Jayden Richardson, 21, late last night.
Midfielder Ramadani, 26, was secured on a three-year deal in a £100,000 transfer from Hungarian side MTK Budapest.
Richardson has also penned a three-year contract after the Reds splashed out an undisclosed fee for the replacement for departed full-back Calvin Ramsay.
Teenage right-back Ramsay, 18, transferred to Euro giants Liverpool in a deal that could be worth up to £8 million.
Aberdeen will land £4.5 million up front but could secure up to £3.5m in additional performance related add-ons if Ramsay reaches certain milestones with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Aberdeen are also pursuing Wycombe Wanderers centre-half Anthony Stewart, and closing in on a deal to land Norwegian striker Tobias Lauritsen – although Sparta Rotterdam are the most recent club to enter the race for his signature.
The 24-year-old netted in Odds 2-1 loss to Molde in the Norwegian top flight at the weekend.
Aberdeen are also tracking MTK Budapest’s North Macedonian international striker Bojan Miovski.
The Dons also have targets closer to home.
They are keen on Celtic defender Liam Scales, Wigan Athletic midfielder Jamie McGrath and Wolves midfielder Connor Ronan.
Since returning for pre-season midfielder Dean Campbell has been sent on a season-long loan to English League Two Stevenage.
Since returning for pre-season, midfielder Dean Campbell has been sent on a season-long loan to English League Two Stevenage.
Players know what is expected
The Dons boss’ focus is on securing incoming signings, all while preparing his squad for the upcoming campaign.
Goodwin said: “The players who remain here as part of my squad and part of my plans for the season know exactly what is expected of them.
“They know the demands that are going to be put on them this season coming.
“Pre season is the most important part of bedding in ideas and making sure players know exactly what you are asking of them.
“We are working hard on their fitness levels as well to make sure that come that first game of the season we are firing on all cylinders.
“The boys came back in great shape.
“They were all given a programme to adhere to when they were away.
“They all stuck to it and we had a great first few days of training.”
The benefits of Cormack Park
Goodwin has been putting his players through their paces at Cormack Park.
The Reds will face Highland League Buckie Thistle away from home in the first friendly of the summer.
Aberdeen will then fly out to Spain for the week-long training camp in Costa Blanca.
Goodwin said: “It is great to be able to have the facility we have available at Cormack Park.
“There are a number of players at other club in the Premiership that would love to be coming to a facility as good as this day in day out.
“Our guys certainly appreciate that.
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Day 2⃣ of pre-season. pic.twitter.com/g35haM9qiW
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) June 17, 2022
“It is up to us to get the best out of them and make sure we are ready to hit the ground running.
“Not just in that first league game against Celtic.
“We have to start the Premier Sports Cup in the right manner as well.”
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