St Mirren manager Gary Teale has accused Dons midfielder Kenny McLean of lack of ambition by choosing Aberdeen ahead of a move to England.
The 23-year-old was sold to Aberdeen on deadline day earlier this month for £300,000.
English League 1 club Fleetwood Town had an offer rejected for McLean last month before the Dons landed the former Scotland under-21 international on a three-and-a-half year deal.
And Buddies manager Teale, who played for English clubs Wigan Athletic, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday during his 10 years south of the border, reckons McLean made a mistake by staying in the Premiership.
Teale said: “I had slightly prepared for Kenny leaving because his performances since I came in as manager were exceptional, he was outstanding in near enough every game we played in.
“However, I was disappointed he went to Aberdeen.
“Obviously they are a much bigger club than St Mirren, and yes they are doing a lot better, but I feel for Kenny that going down south would have been the right option for him.
“The way Kenny had been going through different transfer windows when everybody was expecting him to leave, but then nothing materialised, he probably just wanted a change of scenery.
“He is still young enough and he is still good enough that if he does well at Aberdeen, then he could maybe kick on and earn his move down south.
“I’m sure he will do well as Derek McInnes always has his teams flying high and, with no disrespect to us, he probably feels he is playing with a better quality of players.
“He is going to be a massive loss but it gives someone else in the St Mirren squad an opportunity.”