Former Aberdeen and Celtic midfielder Billy Stark believes Dons manager Derek McInnes would pull off a major coup by signing Hull City and Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney.
The 34-year-old former Celtic player is out of contract in the summer and, with Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn making it clear the Scottish Cup final against Celtic will be his last appearance for the Dons, Stark claims that Maloney’s arrival would more than make up for his departure.
“Would Shaun be a statement signing? Yes, absolutely,” he said. “They made a statement of sorts by paying relatively big money for Kenny McLean and that paid off. Shaun is a good Scotland international player and his status can add something extra to the team in terms of his ability and his experience of winning things. That is the kind of signing that would improve Aberdeen.
“McGinn going to England is obviously a loss to them because he carries a scoring threat as well as providing assists. But Shaun has that great set-piece delivery and he has real quality on the ball.
“He can create and score goals and his arrival would compensate for the loss of McGinn. In fact, if they can keep the rest of the squad, McGinn’s loss would be offset if Maloney comes.”
Maloney earned the last of his 47 caps for Scotland in the 3-0 defeat by France last season but Stark is convinced the veteran can still make an impact at Premiership level.
He said: “I believe he’s a good type of professional and a decent type and those lay-offs can add a couple of years on to the end of his career.”
