ABERDEEN READY TO LET PAIR GO

Scotland international Bernard, 27, who is still the only player outside of the Old Firm to cost an SPL club £1 million was axed on Friday along with German playmaker Mayer, whose contract is also up in the summer.

Manager Ebbe Skovdahl has told both men that they can find another club straight away in a bid to recoup six months' wages on the pair.

Aberdeen announced a record loss last month of over £3 million on last season's campaign.

Skovdahl said: "Andreas and Paul's contracts expire at the end of the season and I have told them both that they are not in my long term plans.

"I realise that they are free to sign for another club from January 1 and with that in mind I felt it was only fair that we help them find a new club."

Bernard remains the Dons' costliest signing, moving from Oldham in 1995 for £1 million, but was put on the transfer list several months ago. Mayer, who began his career at Bayern Munich, was signed from Rosenborg in January 1999 for £200,000.