Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has told forward Declan McManus to focus on his football with Morton as the 20-year-old waits for his future to be decided.
McManus has spent the season on loan at the League 1 club and has scored 17 goals for the Ton, a feat which helped him make the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award for the division.
The Scotland under-21 international is one of several Aberdeen players out of contract in the summer and his outstanding form for the Greenock club has not gone unnoticed.
McInnes is delighted the product of the club’s youth system is making the most of his first full campaign of senior football and has told McManus his future at Pittodrie will be decided once he returns from Cappielow.
The Dons manager said: “Declan has been great at Morton. He’s scored 17 goals for them and three for the under-20s in between his loans, which is terrific.
“To get 20 goals in a season is a strong showing and as a forward that’s what he judges himself on. He had a disappointing spell at Alloa last season but that happens sometimes and he has certainly enjoyed himself at Morton.
“He has played a big part in their push for promotion to the Championship and his form has been absolutely magnificent for them.
“He is trying to win a championship with his loan club and we’re not going to take his mind off that. Once Morton’s season is finished and he is back here we’ll discuss his future and that of the other out of contract players.
“Their futures will be decided when it’s appropriate nearer the end of the season, but other than Nicky Low, who has signed a pre-contract with Dundee, nothing has been decided yet.”
McInnes has his own goals to aim for at Aberdeen with the chance to secure second place the next challenge facing his side this weekend.
The Dons will ensure they finish no worse than runners-up if they avoid defeat at Caledonian Stadium on Saturday against Scottish Cup finalists Caley Thistle.
The Aberdeen manager said: “The games after the split are always tough and Caley Thistle is one of the toughest. It was difficult to beat them last time they were here and I am sure it will be another close game. We want to secure second place as soon as possible and both teams have a lot to play for so there will be an edge to the game.”
