Derek McInnes has accused Sheffield Wednesday and Queens Park Rangers of treating Aberdeen with contempt over bids for Scott McKenna.
The Aberdeen manager warned clubs not to make approaches for the defender yesterday, on the eve of their Europa League tie with Rijeka, however fresh bids from Sheffield Wednesday and QPR were kicked out before they travelled to Croatia.
McKenna handed in a transfer request at the weekend prior to Sunday’s 3-2 win against Hearts and has been keen on a move away from Pittodrie. However, no club has met Aberdeen’s valuation and unless something significant changes prior to kick-off, McKenna will start at the Stadion Rujevica.
McInnes said: “Scott has travelled with us. Clubs have had every opportunity to put their best foot forward over the last few weeks. Any club who is trying to deal so close to the game shows a total disregard for us, on the eve of such an important game.
“Unless I am told by the chairman that a deal has been agreed and accepted then Scott will continue to be an Aberdeen player and that is the way I am continuing to look at it.
“It is hardly ideal preparation. It is a Europa League game, a very important game, and these clubs have had the whole summer to do a deal and there is a degree of anger, frustration and contempt towards these clubs for trying to put their best foot forward now.
“Until somebody tells me that an offer is accepted then Scott will play tonight. I have spoken to Scott, probably, more than any other player in the last couple of weeks.
“He, obviously, has had a lot to content with and there is a degree of sympathy from myself but he is an Aberdeen player and he has to continue to act like an Aberdeen player and to perform for us, unless I am told differently.
“I have such a high regard for the boy. He is the best of the lot, in terms of personality and we want the best for him.
“No doubt his move and everything will come for him in his career.
“Whether it comes in this window, clubs have had weeks, the whole summer to put their best foot forward, to try and get him.
“If it doesn’t happen in this window then I am pretty sure it will happen in the near future.”
Hull City, Swansea, Stoke City, Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa have all had bids turned down for McKenna since the start of last year. He is under contract until 2023.
The Dons boss also admitted an interest in Bristol City defender Zak Vyner, who is a loan target for the Dons but was unlikely to sign before last night’s registration deadline.
McInnes added: “He is a player who we’d like to bring in because of the defensive situation with injuries.”