Grounds for Milne to rethink his next move

STEWART MILNE has never enjoyed universal support from Aberdeen supporters. But with a trophy in the cabinet (the League Cup), an astute manager and the club’s £14million bank debt wiped out, things are looking up. All of which raises the question: Why is Milne hellbent on railroading through a contentious move from the club’s spiritual home at Pittodrie? He was at it again in midweek, promising to use the debt-restructuring deal as a means to push through a much-delayed move to Loirston Loch, on the city’s southern outskirts. Other Scots clubs have used the sale of their existing stadium to clear the debt and finance a new home. But with their debt all but cleared, Aberdeen now have no pressing need to move. Milne claims Pittodrie is expensive to maintain, has safety-certificate issues and struggles to pass UEFA’s criteria for European games. Years ago, we heard the same script from Chris Robinson of Hearts. It was unconvincing then and it’s unconvincing now. A vastly wealthy home builder, this is an area in which Milne unquestionably knows what he is doing. Few doubt he already has a lucrative plan in place to develop the club’s existing home. Some of the proceeds might even go to Aberdeen FC. But what price do you place on a club’s history and traditions? Pittodrie is Aberdeen’s historic home. Outwith the Glasgow stadiums and Tynecastle, there is no finer arena in Scotland. Picturing this famous old club playing at a soulless, plastic out-of-town arena is almost impossible. Stewart Milne has got much right at Aberdeen of late. Everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction. Why put that at risk when he can give Pittodrie a facelift and stay put?