Ex-Aberdeen defender Brian Irvine believes the benefits of loaning players from rival clubs outweighs the negatives.
The Dons were deprived of the services of defender Liam Scales in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park in the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership.
The Irishman was ineligible to feature against his parent club under the terms of his season-long loan deal at Pittodrie.
Dons boss Jim Goodwin hopes to make the loan deal a permanent move in the same way Ross McCrorie’s loan deal from Rangers became a permanent switch in February 2021.
A section of the Aberdeen support have questioned the suitability of loaning players from rival clubs, but Irvine feels it remains worthwhile – especially if the Dons can make Scales a permanent addition.
He said: “We had this situation before with Ryan Christie and the situation came back to bite Aberdeen when he returned with Celtic after a loan spell and played well.
“But would you do it again to get a quality player like Ryan Christie to the club – or Liam Scales who is someone they have high hopes for? The answer is yes.
“There is a cost when you sign players on loan from your own league and the cost is quite a big one.
“But it is worth it when you consider how many games they are able to play against other teams in the division.
“With or without Scales, the Celtic game was always going to be a difficult one.
“There was a thought that they might be able to catch Celtic a bit complacent or undercooked on the opening day but they are too professional for that.
“It looks like they will be as tough to play as they have been in recent years.
“They have two home games coming up against St Mirren and Motherwell which is a chance to get some points on the board.”
The Dons struggled defensively last season, but Irvine – who won the cup double with the club in 1989/90 – has been encouraged by the new centre-back pairing of Anthony Stewart and Scales.
He said: “It is a positive move from Jim.
“I have been impressed with Anthony Stewart and Ross McCrorie is doing well in midfield.
“Anthony looks a commanding centre-back and he has been appointed captain.
“The manager will know more about his character than I do but he obviously feels he has those leadership qualities.
“Even on Sunday, at Celtic Park, you could see he was leading on the pitch.
“I prefer having a centre-back as captain than a goalkeeper.
“That is nothing against Joe Lewis, I just think goalkeeper is a difficult position to be captain whereas centre-back is ideal.
“I have been very impressed with his start.”
After a difficult 2021-22 season, Irvine reckons there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about Aberdeen this season.
He said: “They have a great summer transfer window. They have taken in a lot of money and brought in lots of good players.
“Aberdeen will have to be wise with how they approach clubs when trying to sign players because clubs may inflate the price knowing that Aberdeen will have money after selling players this summer.
“All credit to Jim Goodwin as he spoke about needing to make changes at the end of last season but he has gone and done it.
“The signings look good, quality players who will enhance the squad.
“Going for the league is a bit beyond the clubs outside the Old Firm but aiming to go deep in the cup competitions should be the aim if they want a successful season.
“I feel it could be a good season.
“It was similar with Stephen Glass when they won 5-1 in Europe and there was a lot of excitement.
“But that fell away quickly.
“It felt like the group stages of the League Cup were beneficial this season as it has built a bit of momentum, even though the games were against teams you would expect to beat.
“But they got through the group without conceding a goal and scoring quite a few.
“There seems to be competition for places so it feels positive at this stage of the season but there is a long way to go.”
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