Craig Brown hopes Fulham target Jack Grimmer stays at Aberdeen - citing the plight of former Dons star Chris Maguire as a warning.
Dons boss fires warning to youngster
Aberdeen manager Craig Brown believes youngster Jack Grimmer should reject the advances of Fulham - citing the plight of former Dons youngster Chris Maguire as a warning.
Grimmer became the youngest player in Aberdeen's history when he made his debut against Rangers in April 2010 aged 16 and two months.
He has yet to make a first-team appearance this season but is seen as a bright prospect by the SPL club, who hope to persuade him to sign a new long-term contract at Pittodrie.
However, Premier League side Fulham have expressed an interest to taking him to West London.
Brown admits the lure of the English leagues is a tough one for young players to resist, but has urged Grimmer to think twice before moving south too early.
He cited the example of Maguire, who moved from Aberdeen to Derby over the summer but has mainly been restricted to substitute appearances this season.
Speculation
"We haven't had an offer from Fulham so this is speculation. I suspect as usual that agents leak that information," Brown told the
club's official website.
"Quite categorically there has been no bid from Fulham. There has been an expression of interest but no bid.
"No matter the player, it can unsettle the player and make him a bit starry eyed about playing in England.
"I hope any young player from Aberdeen can take a lesson from Chris Maguire - if he wants to play football don't make a move until you are established.
"Chris Maguire was an international player and he has hardly played at all. He was on the bench at last at the weekend.
"It is not a wise move to go down to England too early."
Waned
Meanwhile, Brown revealed he expects defender Rory McArdle to stay at the club after interest from Southend waned.
The 24-year-old is one of a number of players whose contract expires at the end of the season and had been linked with a January departure.
"I told Rory 'if you're anxious to leave because you're not always in the team, come and see me'," added Brown.
"That was two weeks ago and he hasn't come to see me.
"He came on against Dundee United and played well and he was outstanding at Forfar at the weekend. I think he is happy at Aberdeen.
"In the interim period I noticed that Southend have signed a centre-back."
