Former Aberdeen goalkeeper Theo Snelders believes the class of 2017 Dons players must think very carefully before deciding their future will be away from Pittodrie.
Midfielder Peter Pawlett has signed a pre-contract agreement with MK Dons, while Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn will also leave for a new challenge south of the border. Captain Ryan Jack and defender Ash Taylor are among those yet to sign contract extensions and it is shaping up to be a busy summer of transfer activity at Pittodrie.
Snelders hopes McInnes manages to retain the nucleus of the squad that has finished second in the Scottish Premiership and reached two cup finals this season.
The Dutchman, who was at Pittodrie from 1988 to 1996, said: “During my playing days at Aberdeen, we were playing with the same players for five or six years with maybe only one or two changes. Nowadays you don’t see that. I can always remember when the players were talking about who was going where and Alex McLeish would ask them ‘Are you happy?’
“Football has changed so much, especially on the money side, but if I had the choice between playing nowadays and back then, I wouldn’t like to change. That’s because of the people I met and the fact we spent five or six years playing together.
“It gives you so much more if you are happy somewhere.
“Nowadays you see players who aren’t in the team for one or two games and they get upset because they feel like big players. I was happy with my time, especially my time in Aberdeen with the players and people I met. It was a very special part of my career.”
Snelders believes the strong camaraderie at Pittodrie was the main reason they won a League Cup and Scottish Cup double in the 1989-90 season.
He said: “I won the PFA Scotland player of the year award in my first year and in the second year Jim Bett won it.
“If you feel your team-mates have trust and belief in you then that makes you better and that was why that Aberdeen team was so special.”
Snelders was one of the heroes for the Dons when they last lifted the Scottish Cup 27 years ago.
The Dutchman saved Anton Rogan’s spot kick before Brian Irvine scored the winner as Alex Smith’s Dons triumphed 9-8 on penalties against Celtic.
Snelders is surprised his former side has gone so long without getting its hands on the trophy again but hopes the Reds seize their opportunity this time. He added: “It has been far too long so hopefully they can put it right this year.”