Aberdeen chief backs Celtic-linked Bojan Miovski for top five European leagues

Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows has backed Celtic-linked Bojan Miovski to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Celtic are reported to be weighing up a move for the North Macedonia striker as they face the prospect of losing Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Oh Hyeon-gyu to the Asian Cup in January.

Burrows said: “We are in no hurry to sell Bojan Miovski. What I would say is Aberdeen have a player-trading model that requires you at times, when it suits you as a club, to sell a player.

“However, they have to be at the value that is right for the football club.

“Bojan has demonstrated his qualities, domestically, in Europe and at international level. He is a striker of supreme quality and I have no doubt he is going to go on and have a really fantastic career at the very top level.

“We are in no rush to sell him but I can’t give any assurances because I don’t know what other clubs are going to do at this stage.

“I think Bojan Miovski is good enough to play at whatever level Bojan is going to land at. I think he’s capable of playing in the top five leagues in Europe and I think his value will be demonstrated when we do sell him.”

Chairman Dave Cormack earlier outlined the risky but rewarding nature of the club’s player-trading model.

Speaking to shareholders at the club’s annual general meeting, Cormack said: “We continue to make significant investments in the playing squad.

“Something we’ve been able to do because coming out of Covid we’ve driven our commercial, partnership, retail, season ticket and AberDNA income and numbers to record levels, and because our positive player-trading model last year demonstrated that spending significantly more than our increased income levels can actually balance the books.

“In the 2022/23 financial year we made an operating loss of £6million, which, after netting out player sales and acquisitions, produced a net profit of £1.1million. All of which has been reinvested.

“The bottom line is that we are speculating that this player-trading model will be a success, because it allows us to invest much more than we bring in.

“It’s a model that the investors and board are supportive of. But one that carries high expectations on playing performance.”

Manager Barry Robson has recently faced criticism from the Dons support after a six-game run without a win.

However, that ended with victory over Hearts on Saturday and Aberdeen now have a Europa Conference League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt and a Viaplay Cup final against Rangers to look forward to this week.

Cormack said: “Including manager Barry Robson and the senior players, we all agree that our league form has not been good enough.

“As with every manager we employ, Barry will be judged on results over the coming weeks, months, and, as we sincerely hope, seasons.”