Aberdeen have agreed to put want-away midfielder Craig Hignett on the transfer list, and have even paid the player a #17,500 loyalty bonus.

That sum is due every three months of the richest contract ever handed out to a player at Pittodrie. Hignett, weary of the lengthy round-trips to see his two children in Warrington in recent weeks after a marriage break-up, has dismissed claims that he was using his domestic situation to seal a move back down south.

The former Middlesbrough man had actually threatened to quit the Dons if they did not agree to sell him, but manager Alex Miller and chairman

Stewart Milne refused to condemn the player's actions after a meeting with him at Pittodrie yesterday.

In fact, all three refused to make any comment at all on the situation, leaving the fans in the dark during a time of crisis at

the club.

The issue was dealt with in a two-paragraph statement which read: ''Aberdeen Football Club today announced that following a meeting this afternoon between Stewart Milne, Alex Miller and Craig Hignett, it was agreed that Craig would be made available for transfer.

''Craig Hignett confirmed that while still at Aberdeen Football Club he would be totally committed to helping the team progress up the league.''

However, if the player is as emotionally upset as he claims to be, then surely his presence is the last thing the team need as they try to end a run of 11 games without a win.

If Hignett's previous comments are right then Milne talked him in to signing after he had already voiced doubts about moving to Aberdeen in the summer.

Aberdeen were aware of Hignett's domestic situation when they made him the club's highest-paid player, on reported #8,000-a-week wages.

The only certainty is that Aberdeen will not let the Liverpool-born player go cheaply and will look for at least a #1m fee or equivalent swop deal.