Derek McInnes wants to repay Ryan Jack's faith in Aberdeen after a new two-year deal was agreed with the midfielder. The highly-rated Scotland U21 cap has been linked with Premier League side Everton but has instead committed himself to the Pittodrie side until the summer of 2017. However, Jack only put pen to paper this week after making McInnes wait nervously for six months for an answer.
McInnes said: "I was always hopeful and always confident Ryan would agree a new deal. He has signed the same deal as we put to him in December but he has been very considerate and measured. He wanted to weigh up his options and I think it's important that you don't rush that. I have every respect for Ryan and I think he's made the right decision. You can get all the advice and guidance from whatever but ultimately he is a 23-year-old man, he's a father and he makes his own decisions. So I'm delighted he's made the one he has. It also shows we can hold on to good players. While Ryan is ambitious and eager to make the most of his career, he sees being part of a hopefully successful Aberdeen team the right move. I've no doubt Ryan is being talked about by other clubs and the more his contract ran down, the more attractive he became. Ryan is ambitious, we know that. But we are ambitious for him. We will help him be the player he can be. I've no doubt he will get his move in time but the challenge for him now is to keep improving."
Meanwhile, Aberdeen have confirmed former fans' favourite Jim Leighton has left his position as goalkeeping coach. The former Scotland number one served the Reds as both a player and part of their backroom team over three stints covering 27 years. McInnes said: "I would like to thank Jim for his contribution as a member of my team since I arrived at the club".