Incoming Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has stated that he wants to “level the playing field” between his club and Scotland’s top two.
Cormack will take over from Stewart Milne next month after an AGM on December 16th. In a bid to make his mark, Cormack has agreed what has been described on the Aberdeen website as a “strategic partnership” with MLS club Atlanta United.
United’s president Darren Eales said yesterday that the club has given Aberdeen £2million for the new agreement. He also stated his hopes that the deal will lead to better intelligence on each other’s specialist markets (BBC).
With Aberdeen currently sitting nine points off both Celtic and Rangers respectively, it doesn’t look like they’ll be splitting us anytime soon. But speaking to the Aberdeen website, Cormack stated that he is eyeing up the Glasgow clubs as he looks to reel us closer.
“As an Aberdonian and lifelong Dons fan, I’m honoured and privileged to become chairman of the famous Aberdeen. I’m also pleased to be able to announce a strategic partnership with Atlanta United.
“There are some real challenges ahead but, with the support of my fellow directors and new investors, along with our fans, we will do our utmost to deliver success which, at the end of the day, is measured by the team’s performance.
“The new investment and this partnership with Atlanta will allow us to punch above our weight, aspiring to attain UEFA’s top 100 status, and trying to level the playing field against significantly higher income generated by Celtic and Rangers.
Dons have plenty to do before they reach Celtic standard
Fair enough, Aberdeen must have something to aspire to. They’re quite right to be targeting Glasgow’s big two. However, it’s going to take a lot more than an MLS agreement a few million to bridge that gap.
Atlanta have already sent Jon Gallagher over to Aberdeen this season. Yet, despite that initially looking promising for them, he’s only managed three assists in 20 appearances. For a left-winger, it’s hardly mind-blowing stats (Transfermarkt).
The deal with Atlanta is also done with the idea that both sides can learn more about the other’s markets. For example, Atlanta can make more use of the UK market with the Dons doing the same in South America. That’s all well and good and sounds exciting for Aberdeen fans, but this ultimately means very little with regards to challenging.
Atlanta won’t be the key to halting Celtic
There aren’t many Atlanta United players that would get into the Celtic team. They aren’t of a similar level, and don’t have the players that would help Aberdeen challenge us. Or most certainly not the ones that they would be willing to loan out.
Agreements are all well and good, and they look flashy for supporters. However, what it will ultimately come down to is recruitment. Celtic recently mauled Aberdeen 4-0 at Pittodrie whilst Rangers scored five against them at Ibrox recently. The gap between both sides and the Granite City men couldn’t be bigger.
What it will do is help Aberdeen tap into a market they’re extremely untested in. There will likely be other commercial and financial benefits to the deal too. But it’s not uncommon for Aberdeen to get a bit overly-excited with their ambitions. After all, when they won the League Cup in 2014, outgoing chairman Milne had them ready to challenge for the league (Daily Mail).
It’s a positive and exciting venture for Aberdeen. Undoubtedly, more and more about this new agreement will be made clear. However, as for bridging the gap to Celtic in particular? Good luck Dave, you’ll certainly need it. This deal hardly changes a thing from our perspective.
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