| The weekend saw player-boss Craig Brewster chalk up his first victory after eight games at the helm and, as he reflected on the 3-1 success against Livingston, McInnes came in for a special mention.
The 34-year-old has had an injury hit season and did not feature regularly under previous boss Gordon Chisholm even when he regained full fitness.
With the January transfer window approaching, around Christmas, there was speculation he would be leaving the Tangerines and that has resurfaced again in recent weeks after he was left out of the starting line-up for the games at Dunfermline and Hibs.
He was, though restored, to the team for Saturday’s win and, although an injury to Grant Brebner made room for his inclusion, Craig has stressed his skipper was set to return anyway.
And the manager expects him to be involved regularly for the rest of this campaign and possibly beyond. “Derek McInnes is my kind of professional and on Saturday I thought he worked his socks off for the team. That’s the way he is in training every week, whether or not he is playing on a Saturday,” said Craig.
“I am always stressing to the young players that they have to make sure they are ready to play if and when I include them and seeing Derek go about his work every day is a good example for them to follow.”
At just a few months short of his 40th birthday, Craig himself plans to continue playing once he has recovered from a broken bone in his leg and sees no reason why McInnes, who is almost five years his junior, cannot be doing the same in the SPL next term.
“He is a very good pro, which is part of the reason why he has spent time at clubs like Rangers and West Brom. If you want something enough you work hard for it and reaching your mid-30s need not be a barrier to playing at a high level.
“I know there was talk of Derek leaving here before I arrived, but once I came in here the situation changed for everyone. I have been very happy with him and I see no reason why he can’t still be here next season.”
Paul Ritchie returned to full training today. He’s not featured under Craig Brewster because of a dead leg in the win over Falkirk the day before the new boss took over in January. However, if things go well he could feature for the reserves next week.
Also stepping up his work will be Charlie Mulgrew, who had a knee op. It’s unlikely either will be fit to return against Kilmarnock on Saturday week. |
