Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the plight of relegated Dundee United is a warning to Scotland’s leading clubs.
The Tangerines, who were relegated on Monday after a 2-1 derby defeat by rivals Dundee, confirmed the sacking of manager Mixu Paatelainen yesterday.
The cost will be high with eight players – John Rankin, Ryan Dow, Guy Demel, Eiji Kawashima, Callum Morris, Euan Spark, Edward Ofere and Florent Sinama-Pongolle – being given free transfers while others still under contract, including Paul Paton and Paul Dixon have been told they are free to find new clubs.
United defeated the Dons 2-1 in last season’s League Cup semi-final, but opted to sell Aberdonian Stuart Armstrong and fellow midfielder, former Ross County player Gary Mackay-Steven, to Celtic for £2million two days later.
The Tannadice club will play in the second tier next season and McInnes, who captained United, believes they will be a major loss to the Scottish Premiership.
He said: “It looked pretty inevitable over the past few weeks and it was not a total surprise because they had struggled for form for the majority of the season.
“But United is one of the major clubs in Scotland. There has been a lot of talk recently about one or two of the bigger clubs coming back to the Scottish Premiership next season, but the league is always better for having a strong Dundee United in the division.
“It shows how quickly things can change in football. That is why every clubs must keep on top of things.
“It wasn’t so long ago United were neck and neck with us in the league, but the decline has been quite rapid which has been surprising.”
The Dons manager confirmed leading-scorer Adam Rooney (thigh) is highly unlikely to feature against champions-elect Celtic on Sunday, but Wales international Simon Church (ankle) has a better chance.
He added: “Adam will probably miss out. It won’t be worth the risk. He is feeling a bit of restriction on his thigh but there is no further damage which is pleasing.
“Simon hasn’t been able to train this week. He had a scan and that came back positive and there is nothing significantly wrong.
“We just need to make sure the pain he is feeling is going to be all right for the game on Sunday. It is too early to make that decision so we will see how he feels later in the week.”
