Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser is confident the Dons will be able to play hardball should English clubs come calling for players during the January transfer market.
Manager Derek McInnes took a call from Cardiff City counterpart Neil Warnock last week about midfielder Jonny Hayes, but there has been no bid and McInnes does not want one.
Sustained success at Pittodrie will bring the attention of others but Fraser said: “We can play hardball if clubs come in for our players. We are about building the strength of the squad, and we know the value of our players. We want to strengthen and are not in the business of losing our good players.
“We will do everything possible to support the manager while recognising it is a difficult market. The football staff do a fantastic job in getting people to commit to Aberdeen.”
McInnes has also won admirers for reviving Aberdeen and putting silverware on the table and Fraser is confident the relationship between the manager and his chairman Stewart Milne will be decisive should the offers come in.
He added: “I think the manager is very happy at Aberdeen, if you ask him I am sure he would say he is delighted with the way things are moving.
“That’s not say if a huge opportunity came his way, anyone with any ambitions would feel the same way, and would look at it. But he is enjoying his time here, his stock will rise with success and the sort of club he would go to is suddenly going up and up.
“If Derek left I would be bitterly disappointed, but if it was an elite club then I would accept it.
“He has been very loyal to us and preaches that to his players. I don’t think he has ever been as happy in management as he is with Aberdeen.
“He has a fantastic relationship with the chairman Stewart Milne. A proper chairman to manager relationship. That’s when football clubs are at their best, they sit down and chat for a couple of hours.
“In my time at the club I have never seen a better relationship and that can only bode well for the club.”
