"The likes of Barry Nicholson, Chris Clark and Michael Hart would get into any team," Calderwood told the Press and Journal.

"No disrespect to anybody, but if we had some of those players last season we might have finished third or even split the Old Firm.

"We have not spoken to Jamie or Seve yet, but they are the two big ones we want to get tied up.

"If you look at the players who have left Pittodrie in the last few years they could make up an entire SPL team, which would probably qualify for Europe.

"It is not just us who cannot compete with the English clubs, Rangers and Celtic have struggled as well."