The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Quinn change of mind as he takes it as Red
Move complete after McInnes 11th-hour pitch
It has been a case of better late than never for Paul Quinn after he completed his move to Aberdeen yesterday.
The 29- year- old defender suffered a case of cold feet onThursday night after deciding he had changed his mind about leaving Ross County to join the Dons.
The former Motherwell player was considering staying in the Highlands before Dons manager Derek McInnes intervened with an 11th-hour sales pitch which convinced Quinn to set his course back to the Granite City and he duly completed the formalities yesterday afternoon.
Quinn said: “My agent told me there was an interest from the club and as soon as that happened I was thinking ‘could a deal be done?’
“It’s taken some time but I’m delighted it is finally done.
“The manager spoke about how we would work together and it is hugely exciting for me. I believe we will work really well together here.”
Whatever issue Quinn had it was not a football one, with the defender insisting the challenge of playing for Aberdeen is an enticing one which he is relishing.
He added: “There is no end of things which appeal about coming here – from the fanbase and the size of the club to the European challenge.
“Aberdeen have set themselves the challenge of competing in Europe and seeing how far they can go in the league and it’s an exciting proposition for me.
“The quality is very good here. Everyone I spoke to was positive about Aberdeen as a club and as a place to be.
“Ultimately all the pieces have added together and I’m delighted to be here.”
Moving to Pittodrie will mean a shorter close-season for Quinn as he is set to join his new team-mates next week for pre-season training.
There will be one familiar face in the Dons squad, however, in the form of former Well team- mate Mark Reynolds.
Quinn said: “This is the shortest summer I’ve had but I’m excited to get going and the short break won’t bother me.
“I loved my time down south but fell in love with the game again at Ross County and now I’m at a bigger club it is exciting.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve worked with Mark Reynolds and it will be helpful to have a big character to work alongside again in him.” The Rangers board has urged supporters to “trust” it after once again admitting it is not yet ready to repayMike Ashley’s £5million loan.
The Sports Direct owner called yesterday’s emergency shareholder vote to demand the money he handed to the former regime in charge at Ibrox in January is paid back.
But the club’s directors advised stakeholders to reject Ashley’s resolution, even though it would see them reclaim majority control of the club’s retail profits and ownership of assets such asMurray Park and Gers’ world-famous trademarks.
They claim even ifAshley succeeds in having his resolution passed when the results are announced on Monday, they will not be bound to act on it.
Director John Gilligan told around 500 shareholders who gathered in the Bill Struth Main Stand
“It is not in the best interests of the club to repay the loan”
for the 30-minute general meeting: “We are asking for the trust of the shareholders in this matter that it is not in the best interests of the club or the business to repay the loan.
“Chairman Dave King, director Douglas Park and investors George Letham and George Taylor – if you count their share purchases, their investment in the business is more than £8million. That’s not a sum to be dismissed.
“This board in a very short space of time has faced challenges that need to be addressed brick by brick.
“We are in a stadium that needs renovating, have an office staff that has been completely reduced to almost impractical terms.
“But we have inherited fantastic people – trust us, please.”
Ashley failed to send any of his Sports Direct representatives to the meeting, despite the fact it was he who insisted it took place. Vice-chairman Paul Murray led proceedings as he stood in for King, who is in London on club business.