Dom Ball delighted to return to Dons on season-long loan
Dom Ball admits he knew he was onto a good thing at Aberdeen after returning for a second stint at Pittodrie.
The Rotherham defender has agreed to another year's loan deal with Derek McInnes' side after helping the Dons finish best of the rest in the Ladbrokes Premiership last term.
Now the 22-year-old former Tottenham stopper has targeted beating former side Rangers to the runners-up slot once again.
He told RedTV: “I'm delighted to be back in here and I'm ready to go for the season.
“One of the big reasons for me was I wanted to come back to somewhere where I knew everyone and hit the ground running straight away. Speaking to the manager that was important for us both.
“We deserved (second spot) in the end last season and I think that was another reason for me wanting to come back up, I wanted to carry that on.
“We want to carry on that level of performance and that winning mentality we all had as a group of players and, if we can continue where we left off, we'll be in good nick.”
Aberdeen kick off the season with a battle of Britain showdown against Burnley in the Europa League before welcoming Steven Gerrard's Gers to the Granite City on the opening day of the Premiership campaign.
“It is a big start to the season,” added Ball. “Burnley play in the EPL and it's going to be a tough challenge, but we've got to go out there and try get the win.
“If you look at the first three games they're going to be tough, but there's going to be tough games throughout the whole season. If we go out there flying it helps us out for the rest of the season.
“It's important we still have the core of the team which did win those games towards the end of the season to secure second place.
“We all know what's required and the type of players we are so it helps the confidence.”
Ball has checked back into Pittodrie just as striker Adam Rooney says his goodbyes after agreeing a move to Salford City - part owned by former Manchester United stars Phil and Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs - for an undisclosed fee.