Glass: Aberdeen are in control of transfer exits and can keep stars

Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass has said the club are “in control” of any transfer outgoings and that he would be delighted if he kept his key players after the January window closed.

Speculation has surrounded some of the players at Pittodrie, centering on midfielder Lewis Ferguson and full-back Calvin Ramsay.

Glass laughed off a report linking Ferguson with a move to Cagliari, initially on loan, as “the craziest thing” and said that there had been no formal offers for the player. The Dons boss said he didn’t want to see any of his major players depart this month as he aims to climb the league and challenge for the Scottish Cup.

“It would be brilliant if we could keep the group together,” he said. “We’ve got a great group of players here, I’ve continually said that.

“We are in control of all of it. Some of them have got a few months left [on contract] and some of them have got a few years.

“We’re in control of every situation there, which is great.

“It might get difficult if silly money starts getting thrown around but that’s the one bit we don’t control. The club controls what we accept.”

Glass confirmed that the club are looking to bring new faces in to strengthen the squad and admitted that it was tricky making plans when there remains the possibility that an offer is made for a player that the club feels is too good to refuse.

“We’re continually trying to get stronger so we’ll try to do that until the end of the window,” he said.

“It’s my first experience as a manager in the January window so I can see why people say it’s a difficult window.

“You don’t know what you’re preparing for, almost. You don’t know who might go out the door and you don’t know who might come knocking late, but we’re ready for every eventuality and we’ll try to strengthen if nothing goes out as well.”

Aberdeen have already made some moves in the January window, with Matty Longstaff and Austin Samuels returning to their parent clubs as their loans were ended, while Ronald Hernandez completed a permanent move to Atlanta United. Highly-rated American prospect Dante Polvara has signed for the Dons from Georgetown Hoyas.