http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1700857/?UserKey=

 

Aberdeen’s on-loan forward Steven MacLean is expected to be given a free transfer by Plymouth Argyle.

 

The Pilgrims were relegated from the English Championship on Monday after their 2-0 defeat by champions Newcastle. Demotion to the third tier will mean cost-cutting and a reduced squad.

 

MacLean and Jim Paterson joined the Dons from Plymouth until the end of the season. Paterson’s loan was cut short by injury, but MacLean scored four goals as the Dons all but avoided relegation with a 1-0 home win against Falkirk.

 

Both Scots have more than a year remaining on their contracts. But MacLean, who has already said he does not want to return to Devon, is expected to be shown the door by manager Paul Mariner as Mariner prepares his team for the rigours of League 1.

 

Mariner said: “If Steven and Alan Gow (on loan at Hibs) are taking the viewpoint they don’t want to come back to us, it’s simple.

 

“If people don’t want to play for this club, then why would we want to employ them?

 

“We’ve had Steven and Alan watched. (Former Argyle coach) John Blackley has been watching them play in the SPL for us.

 

“I have a very good relationship with Alan and Steve but it would be best if I make calls to them and find out what’s going on.â€

 

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee wants to sign MacLean but knows his squad rebuilding attempts will be defined by his budget. McGhee met with the club’s board of directors yesterday to find out how much he will have to spend as he attempts to sign as many as 10 players for the next campaign.

 

Plymouth’s former Aber-deen midfielder Chris Clark will be part of the Pilgrims squad next season.

 

The 29-year-old moved south on a three-and-a-half year contract in January 2008 and the Elgin-born player said: “I’ve got another year on my contract and I’m happy to stay. The family have settled well and that’s important.

 

“I’ve been enjoying my football a lot more and have been playing regularly. The only thing I’ve got on my mind is playing.â€

 

A former team-mate at Pittodrie, Barry Nicholson, has been given the green light to play again for Preston after eight months out with a broken leg.

 

Nicholson has been out since August with a double fracture and he said: “I am hoping to get a run out in the reserves, before the end of the season.

 

“It has been a tough period for me but now I have the good news. The manager Darren Ferguson has been great to me and I am looking to get back into the fold.

 

“I have seen the X-rays from the specialist. Now it is all about getting in the right frame of mind to play again before next season begins and I will stay on for a few weeks extra training after the season finishes.â€

 

Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1700857/?UserKey=#ixzz0loKgja2J

Good to hear nicholson has made a full recovery.

 

I've not seem Maclean play personally, is he one that we should look to keep? I know his record prior to england was good and probably will ensure we have experience up front. Just wonder if we can afford him.

I'd be interested to see how McLean plays as a fully committed Aberdeen player, he's shown in flashes that he's a player worth having but with only a half season loan we haven't seen him at his best (I hope).

I don't see any suggestion of a free transfer there, manager appears to be saying he's heard that the players want to leave and he's happy for that to happen if they don't want to come back.

I don't see any suggestion of a free transfer there, manager appears to be saying he's heard that the players want to leave and he's happy for that to happen if they don't want to come back.

 

Exactly. A case of wishful thinking from P&J I suspect.

 

To be honest not that impressed with McLean from what I have seen of him.

I dont know about MacLean. I think he would do well as an out and out penalty box striker, with the right service, however this service has been awful and I don't think we have seen the best of him. He has been forced to drop deeper in order to try and win the ball and start an attack. I dont think we're seeing the best of him when he has been forced to do this. If he goes, then so be it. Won't lose any sleep but I think he has the potential to be a good goalscorer at AFC.

 

I personally think we need a big 6ft3 + Striker. It makes sense instead of a 5ft10 guy and punt long balls at him

 

As said already, no mention of any fucking free transfer. Quality journalism.

 

Not seen much of McLean but what I have seen hasn't been great but that has been generally the same from every cunt in red.

 

Not seen much of McLean but what I have seen hasn't been great but that has been generally the same from every cunt in red.

 

i'm the same and in fact have been pretty disappointed after what I thought was an excellent showing v Celtic. His movement and general intelligence in that game - not to mention his goals - was a step above most others on the park.  If we could have that level of performance most weeks I'd be delighted to have him signed on a long term deal.

i'm the same and in fact have been pretty disappointed after what I thought was an excellent showing v Celtic. His movement and general intelligence in that game - not to mention his goals - was a step above most others on the park.  If we could have that level of performance most weeks I'd be delighted to have him signed on a long term deal.

 

Perhaps Padre has a point. 

 

OK, maybe not but I don't think he was at AFC to engineer a move here, just a move.

I don't think he was at AFC to engineer a move here, just a move.

 

I agree. He's Hearts bound.

i'm the same and in fact have been pretty disappointed after what I thought was an excellent showing v Celtic. His movement and general intelligence in that game - not to mention his goals - was a step above most others on the park.  If we could have that level of performance most weeks I'd be delighted to have him signed on a long term deal.

 

Shades of Steve Lovell vs Rangers. Looked like a world beater when he scored that goal against them, but his true abysmal self came out all too quickly.

Same old....

 

Aberdeen set to lose fight to sign MacLean

Player’s wages ‘too high’, says agent

 

By Ross McTavish

 

Published: 23/04/2010

 

WANTED: Aberdeen FC's on-loan striker Steven MacLean.

More Pictures

 

ABERDEEN FC were today warned they have next to no chance of signing Steven MacLean this summer.

 

The striker’s loan spell at Pittodrie from Plymouth Argyle finishes at the end of this season.

 

MacLean has a year left on his deal at Argyle and Aberdeen FC boss Mark McGhee is considering a move to take MacLean back next term.

 

But the player’s agent Blair Morgan has doubts the Dons could afford MacLean’s wages and expects to receive offers from wealthier English sides.

 

Read more: http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/1704738#ixzz0lvP5n5WG

That's nothing more than an arsehole agent trying to get a better deal. Stating the obvious, I know.

Hopefully Aberdeen FC don't waste the summer chasing unattainable transfer targets or get kept hanging on waiting for players who don't really want to play for Aberdeen and are only using us as a bargaining chip.

 

I don't trust McGhee or Miller one bit on this.

 

Nae doubt they'll both fuck off on their holly bags soon and that'll be even more time wasted.

 

Hopefully on a 1 way ticket