Major rebuild 'inevitable' at Aberdeen after 'terrible' recruitment

It appears as though a big rebuild is "inevitable" for Aberdeen this summer as the club continue to slide down the Scottish Premiership table.

Having won the Scottish Cup less than 12 months ago, the Dons now find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle.

They sacked manager Jimmy Thelin earlier this season and spent months searching for his replacement, with Peter Leven taking charge in the interim period, and eventually ended up with Stephen Robinson - who had been down the road in Paisley the whole time.

Thanks to their 2-0 win against Hibernian at the weekend, Robinson's side now have a bit of breathing space between themselves and the relegation play-off spot. But the Dons could find themselves right back in it if they fail to beat Kilmarnock, currently in 11th, next weekend.

If the Dons can maintain their Premiership status for next term, The Times' football correspondent Michael Grant is expecting a hefty rebuild at Aberdeen.

"They did spend a lot of money last summer," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"There was a lot of hope and expectation on the back of the Scottish Cup win and big investment in players. The recruitment was terrible, really. They got so little return for their money and continue to get so little return for it. So I think a big summer rebuild is inevitable.

"No club can afford to sign what turn out to be poor players or players that aren't a good fit for the club but especially when you're spending a lot of money.

"Aberdeen don't have limitless resources. If they're spending money, they need to get a return for it.

"Darren Mowbray's come back as the head of recruitment and he was probably the most successful head of recruitment they've had in recent years.

"It was him that got Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani, and guys that made them a lot of money when they sold them.

"They've churned through heads of recruitment as well over the last three, four, five years."