Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne will resist the temptation to sanction a January transfer spree for manager Derek McInnes.
The Dons are fifth in the Scottish Premiership, through to the semi-finals of the League Cup and start their Scottish Cup campaign this weekend. But despite their healthy position on the pitch the chairman wants long-term prosperity rather than short-term success.
He said: “Derek is clear on what he’s trying to do and we will do all we can to help him. But we don’t want to give the supporters unrealistic hopes of there being two or three players coming in during January.
“We’ve got a squad here which is more than capable of competing for the rest of the season. But if there is an opportunity to make a move Derek will be more than ready. What’s important for the club is delivering a strong team every season. We don’t want to see the team up one year and down the next.
“The club has shown its intent by maintaining one of the best budgets in Scottish football and will strive to continue. We’ve tried to do that for the past five years and endured considerable hardship along the way. But I am confident we are starting to see the benefits. It will be challenging in the future as we try to maintain it too, but thanks to the team, the support and the improving performance of the commercial side of the business we are better placed to deliver the same competitive budget.”
Reducing the club’s debt remains a priority and the Dons chairman is also eager to make progress on delivering a new stadium and, more immediately, a permanent training facility.
He said: “If I’ve learned one thing in football it’s to not get ahead of yourself. It’s great having expectations, but they have to be managed effectively.
“I wouldn’t want to go through the tough economic climate of the last five years again. It has been pretty painful for all of us. But as the economy starts to recover I believe we are as well positioned as any club in Scottish football.
“There are big challenges ahead but we have our act together as well as anyone in the country.”