Interview: Joe Miller

Joe Miller believes Aberdeen can close the gap on Celtic by copying the Bhoys’ prudent transfer policy.

After watching the Dons lift the League Cup last month, jubilant chairman Stewart Milne vowed to give Derek McInnes the financial backing to challenge the Hoops’ domestic dominance.

That came as music to success-starved Reds fans’ ears. But Miller, who starred for both clubs, knows the dangers of overspending in pursuit of success.

And he reckons Aberdeen will give themselves a better chance of catching the champions by following the Parkhead giants’ sensible approach to spending.

He said: “Celtic have got huge spending power compared to Aberdeen, but at the moment they’re not really spending.

“They’ve been working more to bring in players in for very little cash or for nothing in hopes of moving them on at a profit.

“That’s maybe the way that Aberdeen should be working rather than splashing out on a few big name players.

“By following the same business model as Celtic, Aberdeen can build themselves up over the next few years rather than trying to do it too quickly.

“That means concentrating on developing their own players and utilising their scouting system to bring a couple of gems in without breaking the bank.

“It takes time to build a successful team. You can’t do it overnight.

“It’s about managing the expectations up there now, because they are going to be very high after the season they’ve had so far.”

Miller ought to know. In 1995, having won the League Cup with the Dons, he watched as the club threw millions at signings like Paul Bernard, Dean Windass and Brian O’Neil, only to find themselves bottom of the League within two seasons.

That’s not something he wants to see happening again and he believes the Reds have the perfect manager in Derek McInnes to make sure it doesn’t.

He said: “If you look at their campaign as a whole they’ve done very well and I don’t think it’s going to be a flash in the pan.

“That’s what real success is about doing it not just in one season, but over several. The danger is that expectations get too great too quickly and the club tries to keep up financially.

“When Aberdeen fans taste a wee bit of success, sometimes they can want a wee bit too much.

“That’s what happened when we won the League Cup in 1995. A lot of money spent after that and the strategy didn’t work. But I don’t see them going down that road again.

“Derek McInnes has done very well so far, he’s there on a long-term contract, and I think he’ll take a patient approach to achieving lasting success.”