Kevin McNaughton heads to Fulham for a four-day trial tomorrow and Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood insists he will be delighted whatever the outcome is for the versatile player.
McNaughton, who will make what might be his final appearance for the Pittodrie club at Easter Road today, rejected his current employer’s final offer of a new contract earlier this month.
That means he could leave for free in the summer but with debts of over £9 million and the need to find a suitable replacement, Aberdeen are prepared to accept an offer of £200,000 for the player now.
That is dependent on impressing Fulham manager Chris Coleman who has been recommended someone equally adept in defence or midfield by former Scotland manager Craig Brown, the London club’s international scout.
Calderwood admits the development leaves him in a personal dilemma as the Aberdeen manager would prefer McNaughton to change his mind and stay at Pittodrie but he also wants the player to impress at Craven Cottage.
He said: “You can’t stand in someone’s way when a club like this comes in and there’s no doubt Kevin has the football ability to be a success but I don’t know about the physical side of things for him down in England.
“I told him today that when he goes there to make sure that he shows them how good he really is, but of course that’s said with my manager’s hat off.
“As manager of Aberdeen I don’t want to lose him but on the other side of things then I have to say good luck to him an
