ROSS MCCRORIE insists that Aberdeen’s new boys must prove that they are capable of living up to the club’s high expectations.
The 24-year-old admitted that last season’s dismal campaign was nowhere near good enough as they finished 10th in the Premiership.
Jim Goodwin has set about turning their fortunes around with a mammoth rebuild of his first team squad.
Albanian midfielder Ylber Ramadani and North Macedonian striker Bojan Miovski have both been signed from MTK Budapest.
And the Dons boss has also signed defenders Jayden Richardson, Anthony Stewart and Liam Scales. Goalkeeper Kelle Roos has been signed from Derby County.
Aberdeen supporters have been left thrilled by the captures but McCrorie warned that they will be under pressure this season.
He said: “There have been a few signings which is good to see because we needed new players. The squad is looking stronger.
“I will see them when they come in and we will help then settle in. Steven Gunn (the director of football) and the gaffer do the recruitment and they have the faith they are good enough. I’m sure they will be good enough to help us and improve us as a team.
“Anytime a player comes to a big club like Aberdeen they have to prove themselves. Even existing players have to prove themselves as well.
“We need help this season and need to bring players in to improve on last season. There has been a big transition as a lot of players are away and a lot have come in.
“We need to improve on last year which wasn’t good enough. A club like Aberdeen should be aiming up at the top end of the table and that is what we are looking to do this season.”
Aberdeen travel to Spain today for a pre-season training camp.
The north-east side are expected to be much improved in the coming campaign following last term’s disaster.
McCrorie said: “It is a fresh season every season as there are new challenges. Last year was disappointing as we were not good enough.
“This season we have our targets for the year that we have set as a team and try to do as best we can. Aberdeen shouldn’t be anywhere near the bottom six.
“It is up to us to put it right and we want to get the top end of the table.”
Aberdeen are locked in talks with Connor Barron over a new deal.
The Scotland under-21 star partnered McCrorie in midfield as Aberdeen kicked off their pre-season preparations with victory over Buckie Thistle on Saturday.
Barron has been linked with a move to Celtic and the club are keen to tie him down beyond his current contract which expires in 2024.
McCrorie said: “That is up to him. It is up to the club to try to sort that. Wee Baz has been exceptional since he came in and I get on really well with him.
“It is up to him. The club will handle that and wee Baz will handle that. He has settled in and belongs in there.”
Christian Ramirez and Matty Kennedy got the goals as Aberdeen overcame Highland League Buckie.
It was Aberdeen’s first outing since the final day of the Premiership campaign when they drew with St Mirren.
McCrorie said: “That was the first game back after just over a week’s training and it was good to get the legs going again.
“It didn’t really matter about the result against Buckie Thistle. It was 45 minutes in the legs.
“We all had a programme and the sports scientist Graham Kirk sorted us all out with programmes. The gaffer was watching as well and all the boys have come back in good shape.
“You only get a week or two off and then you are straight back into it. Even during the break you are still trying and still trying to better yourself.”
