Reports this afternoon claim that Aberdeen's Kevin McNaughton was George Burley's target when he watched Hibernian lose 4-3 to Aberdeen at Easter Road last night. McNaughton is a highly-rated full-back who can play on either side of defence.

The 19-year-old Scottish U21 international is naturally right-footed, but has spent most of his career so far playing on the left of defence. He has attracted a great deal of attention from English clubs over recent months including Liverpool, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Cardiff City.

However, McNaughton has committed himself to Aberdeen and his contract lasts for another two years. He said recently that he was happy in Scotland, for the moment: "I am not saying I am not interested in a move south eventually but at this stage in my career I must make my priority a place in the Aberdeen first team rather than a lucrative move to England, it might be too soon for me to move and I want to continue my football schooling at the Dons, they have been good to me."

George Burley may feel he needs to look for another full-back with both Fabian Wilnis and Gary Croft keen to pursue their careers away from Portman Road.

Dundee-born McNaughton made his debut (and so far only appearance) for the Scottish U21s against Latvia in October, scoring the winner in a 1-0 win after coming on as a 79th minute substitute. However, he is yet to score a goal for his club side in the 63 senior appearances he's made for Ebbe Skohdal's side.

The Aberdeen manager is former Danish international Brian Laudrup's uncle and rates McNaughton very highly: "Kevin has incredible potential and at the moment is probably only half the player he will end up being. I feel the same excitement when I watch Kevin as I did when Laudrup first came into the Brondby team."

If McNaughton is the player that Burley is interested in then are likely to face stiff opposition from both his current club and the other Premiership managers interested in him.

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