The loan report: How have Aberdeen’s seven loan players fared so far this season?

Aberdeen have seven players out on loan this season and they have enjoyed mixed fortunes over the first half of the campaign.

Midfielder Dean Campbell has ventured south of the border to join Stevenage, while the other six have been enjoying time in the lower leagues of the SPFL.

Here is a rundown of how they have performed away from Pittodrie during the first half of the season.

Dean Campbell (Stevenage – 19 appearances)

Dean Campbell joined English League 2 side Stevenage in July on a season-long loan deal.

The midfielder is enjoying a good spell at the promotion-chasing Boro, who sit second in the fourth tier of English football.

After an injury in pre-season disrupted the start to the campaign, Campbell has started to make an impact for Steve Evans’ side, including an impressive display in their 5-0 win against Barrow earlier this month.

In a recent interview, Campbell said: “I have really enjoyed my time at the club.

“It is a great bunch of guys.

“Coming here has been really beneficial for me.

“The more I play and get used to the league, the better I will get.”

The 21-year-old, whose Dons contract expires at the end of the season, has made 19 appearances for Stevenage, although he has started only three of their 22 league games so far.

Campbell added: “I’m in contact with Aberdeen quite a bit.

“We have a loans manager at Aberdeen, Neil Simpson, who is in charge of all the boys who are out on loan.

“We are on constant chat with him regarding how things are go.

“I’ve been in touch with them a lot and they keep up to date with how I’m doing.”

Connor McLennan (St Johnstone – 13 appearances)

Winger Connor McLennan has been mainly restricted to substitute appearances since making the loan move to St Johnstone.

The 23-year-old has two assists in his 13 appearances this season, but started only two league games to date.

Former Aberdeen defender Andy Considine, who joined the Perth Saints in the summer, believes McLennan can be a real asset for Callum Davidson’s side this season.

He said: “I know what Connor is capable of because I saw him come through the youths at Aberdeen.

“Then I played with him when he broke into the team at Pittodrie and he was unplayable at times.

“When I heard about the interest we had in him, I thought ‘perfect’ and told him to get away from Aberdeen, come here, play and concentrate on the football.”

Evan Towler (Cove Rangers – 10 appearances)

Evan Towler impressed while on loan at Elgin City during the second half of last season’s campaign.

He was given the chance to step up to the Championship with newly-promoted Cove Rangers and made an encouraging start at left-back.

Former Dons defender Mark Reynolds, now at Cove, was full of praise for Towler’s early season form. 

He said: “He can test himself against men and learn what football is really about. I’m sure that’ll stand him in good stead for his career. It’ll help us this season, having a quality signing who I’m sure will go from strength-to-strength as the season progresses.”

Injury and increased competition for places has limited the 18-year-old to 10 appearances, but Towler will hope to play a part in Cove’s push up the Championship table in the second half of the season.

Mason Hancock (Arbroath – 13 appearances)

Mason Hancock has not featured for Arbroath since suffering a serious knee injury while playing for Aberdeen in a bounce game in November.

The 19-year-old Englishman had made 13 appearances for the Red Lichties and boss Dick Campbell was hugely disappointed to lose Hancock to injury.

The Arbroath boss said: “We’ve had a massive blow in losing Mason Hancock.

“He’ll be out for the season.

“He was playing a bounce game with Aberdeen and did his knee.

“I was going to play him this week. It breaks my heart.”

Kieran Ngwenya (Raith Rovers – 16 appearances)

Kieran Ngwenya has previously spent time on loan at Kelty Hearts and Cove Rangers.

The left-back joined Raith Rovers on loan at the start of the season and has made 16 appearances.

The 20-year-old, who made his debut for Malawi in a friendly last year, is under contract with the Dons until the summer of 2024.

On Friday, his loan at Raith was extended until the end of the campaign.

Tom Ritchie (Peterhead – 14 appearances)

Tom Ritchie initially joined Queen of the South on loan at the start of the season.

But the loan spell was cancelled at the end of August allowing the shot-stopper to make the move to Peterhead.

He has endured a tough season so far with the Blue Toon, who sit bottom of League One.

He is yet to keep a clean sheet in 15 appearances for Peterhead, but new Peterhead boss David Robertson has praised Ritchie for his attitude this season.

He said: “He’s a young boy and he’s going to make mistakes, but in training and in games he’s been very good.

“He’s good with the ball at his feet and he’s got a great future in the game.

“He’s getting the game-time here, to learn his trade in a competitive men’s environment.

“He’ll learn a lot from it. He’s a confident guy as well, which is important.”

Ritchie is also under contract with Aberdeen until 2024.

Kevin Hanratty (Forfar – 16 appearances)

Kevin Hanratty spent time on loan at Formartine United and Elgin City last season.

He joined Forfar Athletic on loan on July 1 and has made 16 appearances for the Station Park side.

His only goal of the season so far was in a 3-1 defeat by East Fife in October.

Hanratty started the first six games of the season for Forfar, but has found himself named on the bench more recently.