Gutted Michael Paton feels he never had the chance to prove himself at Aberdeen before being released by the club.

The 23-year-old had his contract ripped up before the transfer deadline to allow him to find a new team outside the window.

Paton, who made 50 appearances for the Pittodrie side in his six years on the books, said it was painful to be told he had no future at the club he loves.

He told the Daily Record: “It is a sore one to take. It’s really disappointing. I have been at Aberdeen since I was a kid, I love the club and the fans have been brilliant.

“It is sad to be leaving but that is football and you have to get on with it.”

Paton was told by boss Craig Brown that he did not offer enough goals to the Dons, but the Greenock-born striker felt he was never given a chance to prove otherwise.

He added: “How could I score goals when I wasn’t playing? It’s pretty hard to do it when you are sitting on the bench.

“When I did play, I was out on the wing and never got a run up front.

“It wasn’t like we were banging in the goals.”

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