STEPHEN GLASS today took his first training session as Aberdeen manager and insisted he would not be looking to “reinvent the wheel” that was left by Derek McInnes. 

The former Dons, Newcastle and Hibernian forward was appointed as Pittodrie boss last month, but after leaving his role as Atlanta United reserve coach, he was forced into a period of self-isolation following his arrival in the Granite City. 

Despite being housed up in his quarantine quarters, Glass has been able to watch his team train and play via the wonders of modern technology, and the 44-year-old has been impressed by what he has seen. 

“It feels good to be here, it has taken a little bit longer than I would have liked but I’m in now. I have been watching the team from a distance, watching them do well which has been great," he told Red TV.

 “I was able to watch the training as well, so I have been watching the group train, keep an eye on the games and getting ahead on the opponents we have coming up.  

“There is a lot of footage you can take and get on top of, so we have been preparing that remotely as well to get ready as best we can.  

“Watching the games, I was excited when the goals went in and was pleased when the goals went in!” 

He continued: “It was two 1-0 wins and for the Dundee United game I was still in America. Being back here watching the games, it feels more real when you’re in the country.  

 “And getting into Cormack Park today, it feels even more real. I just can’t wait to get my teeth into things now. I think it’s important we don’t come in and try to reinvent the wheel, if you like.  

“Paul Sheerin has put some fresh ideas into them, we discussed bits and pieces but not a real strategy as such. He knows what the club’s strategy is and that was important.” 

Glass was joined by assistant manager Allan Russell at Cormack Park yesterday and in the summer Celtic captain Scott Brown will join the coaching set up. 

Russell also works with the England national team as an attackers' specialist and Glass hopes his expertise can help his Dons players’ confidence in front of goal. 

He explained: “I was delighted to bring Allan in and it says a lot about him as well that he was all in or nothing. He’s very well respected from the work he does with England, the set pieces and with the forwards.  

“But he’s so much more than that - he’s a well-rounded coach who has some great ideas and we’re very fortunate to have him. Obviously, Scott Brown comes in, but Allan walks in with me on day one and we are ready to make our mark on the club.  

“I worked hard to get him in and the club worked so hard. He’s giving up a lot, a lot of family time that he could easily have kept on. But he wants to be part of what’s going to happen at the club.  

 “We are delighted to have him and most importantly, he’s delighted to be here.” 

Ahead of Livingston in the Scottish Cup fourth round this weekend, Glass added: “We can put a few things in their head, put a few pictures in their head from what we have seen going into the game against Livingston.  

 “Things we expect, principles we want to see that will hopefully be here for years to come. There will be a little bit of a difference in the team on Saturday and I think you’ll see. I’m hopeful the results will bear fruit on that as well. 

“It’s a great challenge and that’s why we’re here - we want to push the club on. It’s in a great position, sitting in the latter rounds of the Cup. We thought it was going to be Sunday but it’s now Saturday and that’s another challenge that gets thrown at us.  

“But the win at the weekend in the league as well means there is still a lot to play for. I think it’s eight massive games coming up and we want to win them for a successful end to the season.”