Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has vowed to build a team that can go the distance next season.
McInnes is proud of his side’s second successive title challenge to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership but there is frustration within Pittodrie that Aberdeen’s bid wilted in the final two months of the campaign.
McInnes has already added to the firepower at his disposal by adding attackers Miles Storey and Jayden Stockley to his squad for the next campaign.
Swindon Town forward Storey impressed during his spell on loan at Caley Thistle, while Bournemouth forward Stockley will add a physical edge to the forward line alongside Adam Rooney, who scored 20 goals for the club this term.
McInnes is eager to get in more new faces, with a goalkeeper his next priority but there will be more to follow, with the manager looking to add physicality to his squad.
One option is defender Callum Morris, who is the latest player to be linked with the Dons.
The 26-year-old central defender, who previously played for Dunfermline, was among the players released by Dundee United after the Tangerines’ relegation on May 4.
McInnes said: “I have my budget and am trying to use it as wisely as possible.
“We will have to be smart with our work and we are looking to identify players who will be key members of the team.
“I know what I’ve got in terms of quality at this club and we beat Celtic twice, so clearly there is a lot to be happy about. But we still need to look at how we can improve as players, a team and as coaching staff.
“We’re working hard on a few things right now and we are looking to bring in a goalkeeper to be our number one and we are also looking to add more of a physical presence to our team.
“We must be smart with our work this summer and identify key players to bring in and make sure we are ready.
“If we go into a similar situation to the one we were in this season I hope we will be better equipped to go the full distance.”
The challenge facing the Aberdeen manager and his players will increase with the return of Rangers to the top flight of Scottish football and the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as Celtic manager but McInnes is confident his squad can continue to compete and is determined to build a stronger Aberdeen side.
He said: “There has been a lot of talk about Rangers coming back but our goals have not changed. We want to win a cup and we want to sustain a longer challenge in the league.
“They (Rangers) will bring an extra dimension to the league as, along with Celtic, they have the power and finance which others do not but we are ready to embrace that challenge.”