High praise for ex-Portsmouth loanee Ross McCrorie after departing Rangers for Aberdeen

The Scotland under-21 international has joined the Dons on loan from Rangers before his switch will become permanent next summer.

McCrorie spent the last campaign at Fratton Park from Ibrox.

In total, he made 23 appearances – in both central midfield and right-back roles – as the Blues suffered League One play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford.

As reported by The News, Kenny Jackett was interested in McCrorie returning on a temporary basis, although he wanted to find himself a permanent home somewhere.

After starting Rangers’ 2020-21 season well down the pecking order, manager Steven Gerrard admitted the 22-year-old was free to leave.

Hibernian were interested in the versatile talent, reportedly having a bid knocked back.

Aberdeen stepped up their interest, though, and his switch to Pittordie was announced late on Monday evening.

He will spent this term on loan at the Dons before signing a three-year deal next summer.

Manager Derek McInnes hailed the signing and is excited to see how McCrorie can help the club progress.

He told Aberdeen’s website: ‘I couldn’t be more pleased that we have managed to complete the signing of young Ross on a four-year deal. Given the financial restrictions the club are under at the moment we don’t have the ability to pay a fee so the first year is a loan deal, however, he then becomes our player and signing a young, Scottish player with his talent and potential is exactly the type of signing Aberdeen Football Club should be making.

‘I’ve admired Ross for a while but was aware of the challenges we faced to get him. However, I’m thankful we’ve now got the chance to work with him. I’m looking forward to helping him try to fulfil his potential in an Aberdeen shirt and delighted that he has shown real desire to become our player.

‘It’s so refreshing and fantastic for any manager to hear. He wanted to come to Aberdeen as soon as we had agreed a deal with his club.

‘We’ve got a lot of games to play in the coming weeks, we’ve got games to catch up on as well as our Europa League match. We’ll have a lot of games in a short space of time and we’re still carrying injuries so having as strong a squad as possible is vital for us to fulfil our goals this season.

‘Getting Ross in is part of our long-term succession planning and his arrival signals the start of our preparations for next season’s transfer business. Young Scottish players such as Ross don’t become available very often and we’ve had a lot of success in the past signing such players but for both the long-term and short-term, Ross is a fantastic signing for us.’

McCrorie will link up with former Pompey players Curtis Main and Matty Kennedy at Pittordie.