McInnes: AFC Ready For SPFL Kick-Off

Last updated : 02 August 2013 By Stand Free Ed

McInnes insists Aberdeen’s summer preparations have the team chomping at the bit despite hitting a couple of bumps on the road.

The Reds had some emphatic wins on their Irish tour as well as a satisfying home victory over Dutch top-league side Twente Enschide, and main hitman Niall McGinn smacked the back of the net several times during summer.

Setbacks for injury returnees Andrew Considine and Chris Clark and a surprise loss to Peterhead were negatives, but McInnes has no fears Dons will be ready for the big kick-off against Kilmarnock.

He said: “I don’t get carried away with what happens in pre-season, good or bad.

“There’s a lot going on but the most important thing is we are ready for Kilmarnock and I’m sure we will be.

“We have picked up one or two injuries but, apart from Clark and Considine, I am confident we will have everyone available for the Kilmarnock game.

“We would prefer to have a settled team going into the campaign but the main thing is they have done the hard work already.

“The only player who hasn’t had the minutes we would have liked is [Calvin] Zola but we will get him up to speed.”