Hit or miss? We judge all 27 of Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen signings

By Paul Third

May 9 2016, 7:58 am

Derek McInnes will be eagerly

The summer of 2015 brought the end of an era at Aberdeen with captain Russell Anderson hanging up his boots in favour of a commercial role behind the scenes at Pittodrie.

His retirement, however, meant an experienced replacement was needed. Ross County captain Paul Quinn was the man, while the long-term left back problem was solved by the arrival of Caley Thistle captain Graeme Shinnie.

The surprise addition was Danny Ward, a 22-year-old Wales international who arrived on loan from Liverpool. He was joined by another loan arrival from Anfield in right back Ryan McLaughlin and Red Star Belgrade attacker Josh Parker. Completing the new arrivals was Manchester City’s young attacker Joe Nuttall.

Eight players made way to accommodate the five new arrivals.

Joe Shaughnessy moved to St Johnstone on a free transfer with Nicky Low moving to Dundee. Declan McManus moved Fleetwood Town, Clark Robertson departed for Blackpool while midfielders Andrew Driver and Jamie Masson were released.

Declan McManus left the Dons for Fleetwood

The last Pittodrie exit came in August when goalkeeper Jamie Langfield’s 11 years at the club ended.

As with the previous campaign another early start beckoned in the Europa League and the Dons matched their run of 2014, reaching the third qualifying round before losing to FC Kairat of Kazakhstan.

Lessons had been learned from the previous campaign and there would be no repeat of the sluggish start of the previous year as the Dons rattled off eight straight wins to lead the Scottish Premiership.

Exits from the cup competitions at the first hurdle to Hibernian and Hearts have blemished another solid campaign from the Dons which has fallen just short of the championship.

The David Goodwillie experiment was brought to an end in January when he joined Ross County on loan while Quinn yearned for a return to Dingwall. His wish was granted.

Ward, however, was the biggest loss to the Dons. His recall by new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp left a huge hole at Pittodrie. Scott Brown was restored to the goalkeeper position in Ward’s absence with Adam Collin replacing Ward on loan from Rotherham. Aaron Lennox, another goalkeeper, joined the development squad from QPR.

Completing the line-up of new faces was MK Dons attacker Simon Church, a loan signing. He scored the winner on his debut as the Dons beat Celtic for a second time but the Dons have fallen just short. Three consecutive away defeats in the race to the finish line have proven Aberdeen’s downfall, but they have secured second place and can beat their 75 point tally in the final two games of the campaign against Hearts and County.

Here we take a look at all of Derek McInnes’ transfer dealings as Aberdeen boss…