Stuart Armstrong is back after nasal surgery and reckons Aberdeen could have the sweet smell of success about them this season.
Manager Stephen Robinson has totally revamped his squad, bringing 11 players in and it has been a case of so far so good. The Dons weren’t in the group stages they wanted but managed to glide through their Premier Sports Cup section with maximum points. The finishing touch was a convincing win over Kelty, although Hearts will provide a far stiffer test in Saturday night’s Premiership opener.
Aiming for top six
Armstrong hopes that by this time next season Aberdeen will be back at the top end of the table. The midfielder said: “We have done a fair bit of travelling. In these games, you are going to be doing a fair bit of travelling. As a group, it is always good to have those games that mean something and have that competitive edge. “It is the first time I have experienced this stage of the tournament. Hopefully, we finish top six next season and we come in a bit later. But I have enjoyed it so far.”
Nasal surgery recovery
The 34-year-old missed the final games of last season because he needed surgery on his nose. He reckons he is now ready for a clear run. “I wouldn’t say it impacted me severely,” Armstrong confirmed. "If it had impacted me severely then I probably shouldn’t have been playing. “It was more to help me breathe easier. I have been played for a few seasons with my septum having closed in and I knew I needed to get it done at some point. “It was in a game a couple of seasons ago where I took a bang in the game. I didn’t even notice but it started to become harder to breathe through my nose than normal. “It was probably bothering me outside of football than it was in football. Superficially, it has, in terms of internally and the airflow. “I have got that sorted and it is easier to breathe on the pitch. It helps.”
Win over Kelty
Robinson could breathe easily after only 25 seconds in this game, after Dylan Corr took down Toyosi Olusanya inside the box. Kevin Nisbet converted the penalty to take his tally to six for the season. Aberdeen doubled their lead when Nisbet headed down a ball to Kjartan Kjartansson. His shot was saved but the rebound came back off him and into the net. It was the midfielder’s first goal in red. Aberdeen wrapped up the win after Jamie Smith clawed out a Tony Yogane cross and Olusanya knocked in the rebound.
Armstrong stated: “It was a difficult start last season. We want to have a good start at home against a tough opponent, who had a really good season last year. “Last season we under-achieved. We are all very aware of that and it is about learning from that and improving this year. "It was difficult but we are all in it together. There was a spell after we got our first win when we got a decent amount of points. "We tailed off towards Christmas and New Year. When the gaffer came in, the first two or three we struggled. “Once we got used to his ideas and the group got more together we went on a little run to get some much-needed points to get us safe. “It was disappointing overall when you look at things. But we should not overlook some of the positives that were there and try to build on them going into this season.”
New squad blending
It is also a far different squad from last season. Robinson has signed 11 players and they seem to be gelling. “It is a lot different,” Armstrong acknowledged. “I think all the boys that have come in bring quality. There are a lot of good personalities as well. “There is good competition across the squad, which is very healthy in a football team.”
Youngest ever debutant
Armstrong is at the opposite end of the spectrum. He is in the experienced category compared to debutants Findlay Marshall and Andrew Fansanya, who became Aberdeen's youngest ever player at just over 15 years and seven months. Armstrong added: “It is an amazing achievement for someone so young. To be 15, I don’t even know what I was doing at 15. “To be a professional footballer, coming on the pitch and making an impact was very special. He should be very proud of himself. It is great credit to himself. He has a big future ahead. “You have to be there to miss them. He should be encouraged by that. He is a threat. He trains with us and sometimes you forget how young he is.”
