The Sunday Post (Dundee)

Dons paying the price for Bosman rule

- By Sean Hamilton sport@sundaypost.com

JOCKY SCOTT reckons Aberdeen’s battle to retain their top stars shows how far the Bosman Ruling has diminished Scottish clubs.

The Dons face a transfer window scrap over Cardiff City target, Jonny Hayes, and Niall McGinn.

But the Reds’ raid fears do not end there, with Shay Logan linked with Ipswich Town, and Andy Considine, who is out of contract in the summer, a reported target for Rangers.

With captain Ryan Jack and centre-half stalwart Ash Taylor also free agents at the end of the season, Dons boss Derek McInnes could be forgiven for counting down the seconds until the window slams shut.

And Scott, who successful­ly co-managed the Dons with Alex Smith in the late 1980s and early-90s, has sympathy for the man in the Pittodrie hot seat.

“When Alex and I were at Aberdeen, we were able to spend money to bring players in rather than worry about losing them,” said Jocky.

“But at that time, the entire first team were on the same basic wage, the same appearance money and the same bonuses.

“That was the environmen­t football clubs operated in back then. But that all changed with Bosman.

“I have worked as a manager before and after the ruling, so I’ve seen both sides of it.

“For players, it has been brilliant. The top guys, in particular, have got it made these days.

“But for managers and clubs, it has been a nightmare. They have got absolutely no power whatsoever.

“We’re seeing that at Aberdeen, who have been playing well for three or four years now.

“When that happens, players will start to attract interest from down south, and Aberdeen can’t compete with the wages a Cardiff City can offer.

“Celtic are the only Scottish club who can do that these days.

“For me, there needs to be some sort of middle ground found with Bosman, or else our clubs will keep on losing their best players.”

That is the pressing concern for Aberdeen this winter. Losing one or more key men will dent their hopes of domestic success..

But Scott reckons there is no chance of McInnes being caught out.

“Derek won’t want to lose his best players,” he said. “But he will have a few plans in place.

“He will be looking here and there, in Scotland and England, to see who’s available.

“His ‘Plan A’ will be to keep his best players and bring in one or two, but he will have other options.

“It’s about how you react to these situations when they come along.”

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