Calderwood says Dons face struggle to lure players

THIS time last week Aberdeen fans were on cloud nine and had good reason to consider that the 2007/08 season would be a pretty reasonable success.

A win over Falkirk in last Monday night's SPL match had secured a top-six finish for a team that had also made it to the last four of the League Cup and the last 32 of the Uefa Cup. Queen of the South would, of course, be dismissed at the weekend and the Dons would be looking forward to a Scottish Cup final and most probably a return to European competition.

But, as we now know, things unravelled at the weekend at Hampden and supporters of the Pittodrie club were brought down to earth with a bump. "I have never experienced such highs and lows as we have at this club this season – huge highs in the games against Bayern and also Copenhagen and then the huge lows in the two semifinals," said manager Jimmy Calderwood as he reflected on the 4-3 defeat to Queens.

Yesterday, Calderwood admitted that his team-building plans for the next campaign have been dealt a huge blow as a result of the semi-final humiliation. Already set to lose key members of his team in the coming weeks and with Aberdeen lying eight points off third place in the SPL, the manager fears that his summer targets will not fancy joining a squad who at this stage look almost certain to miss out on a place in Europe.

His spending power and the club's appeal to potential new signings may have been enhanced with victory at Hampden on Saturday. And the implications of the defeat look set to reach far beyond the short-term disappointment of booking a return trip to the national stadium.

Midfielder Barry Nicholson could be on his way south of the border, and is set to announce his plans before the end of the month. He may not be the only player seeking a move, with similar doubts over the future of influential striker Lee Miller.

Calderwood confirmed the defeat was a backwards step for the club. He said: "I think with regards to players staying and also attracting new players, the weekend's result is hugely disappointing as it is well nigh impossible for us to get back into Europe but it also comes down to finances.

"Things in this area should, either way, develop in the next couple of weeks."

Calderwood's frustration was obvious on Saturday as his side failed to perform against their opponents from the Irn-Bru First Division, just as they had been under par against Dundee United in their CIS Insurance Cup semi-final, losing 4-1 at Tynecastle in February. Losing eight goals in two semi-finals was typical of a season in which Aberdeen's defence has struggled for consistency.

The manager's dismay had not diminished yesterday, although he is determined to lift spirits in time for Saturday afternoon's SPL clash with Celtic, with the Dons returning to Parkhead a few weeks after their 1-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final replay win.

"It is just a massive, massive disappointment for everyone," added Calderwood. "We have had a meeting this morning in which we ironed a few things out and the lads are off to do a bit of light training just now, and by Thursday we will be looking forward to the huge game we have travelling down to Celtic Park.

"At this moment in time we all feel probably just as bad as the supporters do."