WHYTE: DONS MUST SET REALISTIC AIMS

FORMER Scotland and Aberdeen defender Derek Whyte fears English championship clubs will continue to plunder Pittodrie.

Dons midfielders Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn have been touted for moves south, with defender Shay Logan now linked with a £200,000 move to Championship club Ipswich Town.

Midfielder Ryan Fraser and defender Richard Foster were among the players sold south i n recent years and Whyte fears more will follow.

English Championship and League One clubs have the financial clout to sign the leading players in the Premiership f or a pittance compared to the vast sums demanded by their English league rivals.

Whyte, who began his career with Celtic before five lucrative seasons with Middlesbrough, fears the trickle-down impact of the Premier League’s financial clout means bad news for all Scottish clubs.

The 48-year-old said: “People have to accept Celtic and Rangers are going to be able to sign the high-profile players on bigger wages, so if Aberdeen could split the Old Firm it would be a brilliant achievement.

“The realism i s t hat Championship clubs i n England can pay a huge amount in wages compared to Scottish clubs.

“The realistic target for Aberdeen is to push for cups and to get i nto Europe.

“Supporters have to be realistic about that.”