KEVIN McNaughton is undoubtedly one of Pittodrie’s greatest success stories in recent years.
The Scotland defender left the Dons for Cardiff City on a free transfer in the summer of 2006.
And the Dundonian has never looked back, featuring in a FA Cup final and revitalising his international career.
The 25-year-old today paid tribute to his first senior club – but warned the Reds are fast becoming a feeder club for bigger teams down south.
A host of stars have recently quit Aberdeen for England, and Alan Maybury, one of McNaughton’s successors at right back, could be the latest to following the growing trend.
“I’ll never forget my time at Aberdeen and, I owe the club a great deal of thanks for giving me my chance,†said McNaughton.
“More recently Jimmy Calderwood has been able to get the best out of some of the guys who were maybe struggling before he took over.
“Unfortunately he’s paying for that now because a few boys have moved on to bigger clubs.
“Russell Anderson, Chris Clark and Michael Hart have all moved on and now Barry Nicholson is also on his way south.
“Alan Maybury could also move to England although he has yet to make a decision.
“It’s difficult for Aberdeen to keep certain players because even just from a wages point of view they can’t compete with English clubs.â€
McNaughton reckons facing the same opposition week-in-week-out makes Scotland’s top league a little mundane.
There’s certainly more fizz in the Coca-Cola Championship according to the full-back.
In fact variety is the spice of life for McNaughton, who has really relished playing for the Bluebirds.
He added: “When you’ve played for six or seven years in the SPL against the same opposition, you want to try something new.
“There were seasons when Aberdeen seemed to be facing Livingston every other week, and that did make things a little predictable at times. That’s perhaps why I’ve enjoyed England even more.
“Aberdeen should take real pride in the fact other clubs continually look at their best players.
“It’s a good selling point for the club especially when you look at the players who have progressed to English clubs.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and have some great friends who are still there.
“The club has shown they have made progress by making it into Europe which has resulted in other teams looking at their players.
“It’s almost like a vicious circle, but I’m sure Jimmy Calderwood will have Aberdeen well prepared for the new season.â€
Despite an appearance at Wembley against Portsmouth and a relatively successful league season, McNaughton still isn’t happy – and he won’t be satisfied until he’s enjoyed silverware success.
“Last season was relatively good for Cardiff, although I’m disappointed we didn’t win the FA Cup.
“But we all walked off the Wembley pitch with our heads held high although I couldn’t help but feel we had missed a chance.
“However, the reality is I haven’t achieved anything yet since leaving Aberdeen.
“We want to push on to reach the Premier League with Cardiff and things are moving in the right direction.
“In my first season we looked like we were going to have a real chance of winning promotion.
“That was before we faded a bit in the final stages, but it’s hard because we don’t have a huge squad.â€
McNaughton, who has been linked with Premier League clubs, hasn’t even thought about quitting the Welsh wonders for life at a higher level.
“I couldn’t even contemplate leaving Cardiff right now because I have settled so well there.
“We’ve got a great squad and all the lads mingle.
“When things are good off the pitch, it bodes well for players to perform to their peak on it.â€
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