| Back to all reports for 16/12/2006 | ||||
| <-Page | <-Team | Sat 16 Dec 2006 Hearts 0 Aberdeen 1 | Team-> | Page-> |
| <-Srce | <-Type | Herald ------ Preview | Type-> | Srce-> |
| Valdas Ivanauskas | <-auth | MARTIN McMILLAN | auth-> | Stuart Dougal |
| 23 | of 075 | ----- Steve Lovell 87 | L SPL | H |
Test of European hopes for AberdeenMARTIN McMILLAN December 16 2006 Jimmy Calderwood, the Aberdeen manager, thinks that the return of Valdas Ivanauskas to Tynecastle could be a crucial factor in the chase for a UEFA Cup spot. Hearts have recorded a draw with St Mirren and a win over Motherwell since the Lithuanian returned after a six-week absence for health reasons, a run of results which stemmed a spell of six matches without a victory under the tutelage of Eduard Malofeev, the Russian caretaker coach. The 4-1 triumph last week was referenced by Calderwood as he looked ahead to his side's trip to the capital today, with the Pittodrie outfit currently just four points clear of their Tynecastle rivals. A win would extend the cushion to a healthy one, while a loss would whittle away a hard-earned advantage, and that is something that the Aberdeen manager has been trying to convey to his squad over the past few days. "We know it is going to be tough against Hearts, but as they are only one place behind us in the league, it is imperative we take something from the game," Calderwood said. "The players all seem to like Valdas and appear happy to have him back. They have always spoken highly of him in anything I have read and any time I have had dealings with him since he came to Scotland, he has been as good as gold. "He was there when George Burley got things running last season and then when Graham Rix took it on, so it could be he is a steadying factor. But, while all the troubles were going on and it was very difficult for the players, they are professionals and, once they go on the park, especially if they are getting positive results, then they will forget about them." His players' use of the ball in the final third is something that Calderwood has been paying close attention to lately and he is convinced that proficiency in this area could give his side an advantage this afternoon. Lee Miller, the former Hearts man, has begun to rediscover some of his form but his manager is demanding more. "Lee has done well since he signed and gives us something different in attack because he is strong in the air and has a great touch on the ground," he said. "I don't think he is quite back to the form he enjoyed when he was at Hearts, but he is getting used to the way we play. "And we have been able to score important goals in recent weeks, so hopefully that will continue at Tynecastle." |
||||
| 