Barry Robson expecting new Aberdeen signings to hit the ground running soon

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson believes there is plenty more to come from a number of new signings as they adjust to life at Pittodrie.

Robson made his 11th signing in midweek when Finland defender Richard Jensen arrived and Aberdeen are reported to be closing in on the signing of Senegal striker Pape Habib Gueye from Belgian side KV Kortrijk.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jamie McGrath and New Zealand defender Jimmy McGarry made their debuts off the bench in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League play-off first-leg draw against BK Hacken in Sweden.

Nicky Devlin scored his first goal for the club in Gothenburg but only two new players started, along with former loan players Graeme Shinnie and Leighton Clarkson, and Robson will continue to ease in his new arrivals.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s cinch Premiership contest against St Mirren in Paisley, Robson said: “A lot of the players we have taken in are probably 60, 70, 80, 90 per cent there from what we want. So they are still taking time to get up to speed.

“Probably half of the group have had a pre-season with us but the others need to catch up to how we want to do things.

“But they are all willing, they have all been good. It’s a good group, we have tried to sign players with a good mentality who have got work rate and can meet the demands of what it takes to play for Aberdeen.

“It’s been a while since Jamie McGrath played but you can see he has looked after himself and he is a physically good athlete. That’s what we have tried to recruit.

“Jimmy, we are trying to get him shredded into what we want him to be as well. He is a powerful athlete.

“He has been training with boys who have tapered off the pre-season, the sessions have been intense but not as long.

“We have had him training on the bikes and on the pitch and with the development squad as well to try to get him up to speed.”