Smooth operator: the transfer window is like Christmas to football fans but Mark McGhee proved no Scrooge. Pic: ©STV
To the seasoned football speculator, the last day of the transfer window is like Christmas. Except probably better, as it happens twice a year. Speculation, rumour and outright fibs have been buzzing around the internet for the past 24 hours. The die-hard football fan will press the F5 key on his keyboard at least one hundred times on deadline day.
With only minimal activity during the first thirty days of the window, it was a hectic final 24 hours for Mark McGhee and the Aberdeen squad. With two players leaving for pastures new, albeit temporarily in Chris Maguire's case, and three new additions, our January dealings look like being very shrewd pieces of business.
The biggest move of the day saw Lee Miller move to Middlesbrough for £500,000. Miller will undoubtedly be missed, as he has been our most dangerous striker for some time and has a habit of turning on the style in big games. However, that being said, half a million pounds for a player with five months left on his contract is commendable business from Aberdeen.
Since the start of the SPL, we have only managed to sell two players, Russell Anderson and Craig Hignett, for more than half a million pounds. With our ongoing plan to nurture young players so we can sell them on, this marks a definite step in the right direction.
The move to Middlesbrough is also a great opportunity for Miller himself. His goals may have been frustratingly infrequent this season, but at one of the "bigger" clubs in the Championship, there should be plenty of chances for him to make a name for himself and catch the attention of Craig Levein. It would perhaps be unfair to suggest that the second tier of English football isn't as high on quality as many commentators think it is, but history has shown that players who are a long way from being superstars of the SPL, can become just that in the Championship.
The likes of Ross McCormack, Charlie Adam, Jamie McAllister, Stephen Crainey, David Marshall, Chris Burke, Chris Clark, Ross Wallace, Craig Beattie and Don Cowie were solid if unspectacular during their time in the Scottish top flight, but have been revelations south of the border. There is every reason to suggest Lee Miller could do the same.
The decision to send out Chris Maguire on loan to Kilmarnock may prove equally as shrewd. Maguire is only newly 21 but is at that fabled stage in a footballer’s career when "they need to be playing games". Impressive displays for the Scotland under 21 side have not been mirrored by his form at club level, which has been hampered by inconsistency and a perceived versatility that sees him deployed out wide more often than not. At Kilmarnock, under a manager who knows just what he is capable of, Maguire should get a chance to show he can be an effective long term answer to Aberdeen's goalscoring problem.
The loan move may also have the added benefit of showing Maguire just how fortunate he is to be at a club like Aberdeen. We might not be world beaters, but we are a fairly stable, relatively ambitious club. With no disrespect meant to Kilmarnock, they are in a relegation fight, and the atmosphere at Rugby Park may well give food for thought to a young footballer with his career ahead of him. Chris Maguire could be six months away from being our number one striker, or a year away from the John Stewart/Scott Michie career path. If he makes the most of his loan, it will likely be the former.
Having already signed Paul Marshall from Manchester City, our month long pursuit of Steven MacLean was finally successful on Monday. MacLean had an excellent record for Scunthorpe and Sheffield Wednesday but has been frustrated at Plymouth. A loan deal should give both parties the opportunity to size the other up before the summer, should the player and the club want to extend their acquaintance.
MacLean's Plymouth team mate Jim Paterson has also made the long trip north. McGhee has long been an admirer of Paterson, and tried to add him to the squad last summer. His experience should be invaluable, as we have one of the youngest squads in the SPL, and Paterson will become the only outfield player on the books who is older than 29.
The new boys have very little time to settle in. Although it isn't the first time I have suggested it, the next five days will go a long way to defining our season. A game in hand against bottom of the table Falkirk and a potentially tricky trip to Kirkcaldy await. With limited forward options, it is likely that Steven MacLean will see action sooner rather than later. What better way to endear yourself to your new supporters than a few goals in your first week?
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