Motherwell midfielder Davor Zdravkovski is not surprised to see more of his countrymen join him in Scotland after big-money summer exits highlighted the “massive” platform the Premiership provides.

Zdravkovski and his team-mates travel to Aberdeen on Saturday to face a Dons team who have adjusted well to life without his fellow Macedonian Bojan Miovski following his club-record sale to Girona.

Celtic have also made a record sale of Matt O’Riley while Theo Bair departed Fir Park to join Auxerre.

Despite the exit of Miovski, the quota of North Macedonia internationals has risen following the arrival of Kristijan Trapanovski and David Babunski at Dundee United.

Zdravkovski, 26, said: “It’s a massive [platform] because you can see there’s a lot of big transfers going out from this league.

“I’m not surprised this league is well appreciated around the world. In my mind it’s a little bit underrated as well because not many people know how tough and good this league is.

“Miovski had a good move and some of the new lads that came to Dundee United are doing well at the beginning.

“It’s always nice to have other people here from your own country. I played with them in the youths and with Babunski for the national team. They are good guys and I wish them to have a successful season except for the games against Motherwell.

“It’s a good league and a good club I am at and hopefully a good step for the future. You never know what the future will bring so hopefully we can see ourselves going in a bigger and better league.

“I always expected a physical, tough league but people need to give more respect to the league.

“People come here and realise it’s not as easy as they think, then they get a surprise. The national team is good quality as well.”