Football Season Guide

Last season's second place finish was tinged with a touch of regret about what might have been as they ran Celtic so close for much of the season but in the end they just didn't have that little bit of quality to get them over the line and take advantage of the opportunities given to them. They ended up finishing 15 points behind the Glasgow side showing the gulf in class between them overall, although Aberdeen will point to an injury to top scorer Adam Rooney at the worst possible time putting him out for a few months during the run-in. One of the main problems the Dons suffered from last year, especially during Rooney's absence was a lack of firepower up front and they've tried to sort that by purchasing Miles Storey from Swindon. Storey played at Aberdeen's Highland rivals Inverness Caley Thistle on loan last season so they know exactly what they are getting and he'll go a long way to helping Rooney up front. The fact they have managed to hold on to players like Rooney and Niall McGinn, and Jonny Hayes is a big boost to their hopes for this season although it's hard to see how they'll be able to push on any further than second. The other big signing of the summer is Callum Morris from Dundee United in defence. Neil Alexander provides some experience in the goalkeeping department with Danny Rogers again being sent out on loan to Falkirk, while Laurence Shankland who impressed at St Mirren last year has been given another chance to shine in Paisley.