Dons may have a right to be raging at Michael O’Neill

MICHAEL O’NEIL L is unlikely to be in Derek McInnes’ good books.

The Northern Ireland manager (left) told Aberdeen target Li am Boyce to snub Aberdeen for a move to Burton Albion.

The Championship, said O’Neill, is the place to be for a striker looking to prove his worth.

He’ll be involved in a relegation battle but, according to O’Neill, that’s better than challenging at the top of the league in Scotland. It’s a sad state of affairs. And given Michael’s intervention in convincing Boyce to snub Aberdeen in favour of a crack at the Championship in England, I can’t help but wonder whether he was similarly influential in Niall McGinn’s decision to ditch the Dons this summer.

McGinn, like Boyce, is a player desperate to establish himself as a regular for Northern Ireland.

He has been a stand-out for Aberdeen over the last four seasons.

You can’t blame McGinn for trying to capitalise on his stunning form. He’s 29, after all, and won’t have another chance to make a big move.

But if his international boss has played a part in convincing him to leave Pittodrie – as he did in persuading Boyce not to go there – Aberdeen have a right to be angry.