McINNES PRAISES MALONEY’S HONEST APPROACH

DEREK McINNES last night revealed that Shaun Maloney’s honesty is the reason his move to Aberdeen has not yet gone through. The Dons manager has snapped up former West Ham and Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard and remains in hot pursuit of Motherwell hitman Louis Moult, despite the Fir Park club kicking out a six-figure bid yesterday. The protracted signing of former Hull City striker Maloney remains on the cards further down the line — with McInnes revealing the prime reason a deal has not yet been concluded is because the 34-year-old Scotland international has openly expressed concerns over his own general fitness. ‘Shaun was very transparent and honest that he had a little concern and, unlike most footballers, he was keen for us to see the full picture,’ said the Dons manager. ‘We never gave him a medical, so he never failed it, but we had a discussion with the medical staff and there is still a willingness to do a deal. ‘While that is there, we are hopeful that we can get Shaun with us, but what is clear is that he is not going to be fit for the next few weeks or so. ‘What we will do is dig a little bit deeper to get more reassurances for us but, more importantly, for the player himself. ‘He got a little operation at the back end of last season for a general problem, but, in Shaun’s words, he wants to be my best player and not be a burden. ‘I think a lot of players would just get in the door and hope everything goes all right, but he’s not like that. ‘The more I speak to him, the more I like him and I am just keen now to get him on the pitch for Aberdeen.’ Maynard, the 30-year-old Englishman who previously worked with McInnes at Bristol City, joins Aberdeen having been released by MK Dons. He becomes the fourth summer signing after Greg Tansey, Greg Stewart and Ryan Christie but, having lost five players from the last campaign, McInnes is still keen to recruit again. Moult, who has scored 30 goals in two seasons for Motherwell, now heads the wanted list, with Stevie May now likely to remain at Preston North End to work under fellow Scot Alex Neil, who was appointed as manager earlier this week. ‘We have made enquiries, but I am reluctant to talk about players at other clubs unless something is done,’ added McInnes. ‘We are keen to get things done, but we can make one signing up to 24 hours before the first-leg tie. ‘If it was just the domestic season, which is three or four weeks away, we could be more relaxed about signings, but we want to do as well as we can in Europe. ‘That means we want to put together as strong a squad as possible before we start the Europa League qualifiers.’