Aberdeen set to rip up dodgy pitch and replace it with the same slick surface Manchester United use

Michael Gannon

17 May 2013 08:07

THE Don's hope the £100,000 revamp, using a new state-of-the-art fibresand surface, will finally sort out the problems with the park at Pittodrie.

ABERDEEN are set to rip up the dodgy Pittodrie pitch and replace it with the same slick surface Manchester United use at Old Trafford.

The turf will be torn up after tomorrow’s final SPL clash with Hearts and the plush new state-of-the-art fibresand surface rolled out in time for next season.

The Dons are hoping the changes – costing close to £100,000 – will finally sort out the problems with the park at Pittodrie.

It was no coincidence Aberdeen’s season disintegrated around the same time as their pitch.

Poor weather and the Scotland rugby international in November were blamed as the surface became a rutted bog during winter.

The Reds’ promising start hit quicksand but boss Derek McInnes is hoping the slick new grass will help his side hit their stride next term.

McInnes said: “As has been the case with many pitches throughout the country, since the turn of the year the surface has been a major concern.

“The club has recognised this and taken the best advice possible in order to have a better playing surface which will improve the product for the fans.”

The work on the pitch will start on Sunday but McInnes is already under way with the rebuilding job off it.

He has identified numerous targets and is determined to place Aberdeen at the front of the queue.

He said: “Good players are sought after by more than one club. It’s about making Aberdeen an
attractive proposition.

“We want players who will relish the challenge of trying to be successful here. We do have scope to bring a few in though. We are well under way and speaking to people but a bit away from confirming anything.”

The SPL will be flooded with free agents this summer but McInnes will cast his net far and wide as well as looking to cherry-pick the best home talent.

The Dons boss – who this week released 13 players and warned there could be more departures – will run a more streamlined squad next term and is determined to recruit quality rather than quantity.

McInnes will shop for frees but admits he may be able to twist his board’s arm for a fee if the right player comes up.

He said: “We’ll look at all areas whether it’s England, abroad or within our own shores. It’s about bringing good players to the club.

“It is likely to be free transfers but if there was a young player available on a transfer fee I might be able to make a case to the board.

“But we won’t be paying fees for older players.

“Ideally we would have everything in place for the start of pre-season.

“There is the nucleus of a good squad here but we have identified the key positions we need to strengthen.”

Taken from the Daily Record