DONS’ MAY BID LOOKS OVER

ABERDEEN’S pursuit of Stevie May looks set to prove fruitless after Alex Neil insisted that the striker had a future at Preston North End. The Pittodrie club tabled a £300,000 offer for May last week, but were left waiting for an answer while the English club sought a new manager following Simon Grayson’s exit to Sunderland. Appointed earlier this week, Neil knows the 24-year-old well from time spent together at Hamilton in season 2012-13. And the former Norwich City boss is keen to allow May a chance to prove his worth after he has recovered from torn knee ligaments. ‘Stevie was a team-mate of mine at Hamilton, he came on loan,’ reflected Neil. ‘When the manager Billy Reid left, I took over from him. ‘Stevie scored 11 goals in six games for me — if he can replicate that or anything near it, we’ll be doing alright. ‘We have to rebuild his confidence. There is no question he is a talented lad and he has a lot to offer.’ Speaking earlier this week, Derek McInnes made it clear Aberdeen had lined up alternative striker options if May was ruled out. Motherwell striker Louis Moult is believed to be one possible target for the Dons. The 25-year-old, who scored 18 goals last term, has a year left on his Fir Park deal and would cost around £500,000. Meanwhile, the Dons face Siroki Brijeg in the Europa League second qualifying round after the BosniaHerzegovina side defeated Ordabasy 2-0 on aggregate.