http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/648833?UserKey=0

 

Smith stands by for Aberdeen

 

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has no fears about handing former Celtic attacker Jamie Smith the opportunity to ruin Rangers’ SPL title hopes at Pittodrie tomorrow night.

 

Smith’s season has been ruined by a persistent hamstring problem and he has played barely half an hour of football since January. The 26-year-old broke down after just 31 minutes of a comeback in the Scottish Cup draw against Celtic in March.

 

It was feared Smith’s campaign was over but Calderwood insisted the forward’s problems are now behind him and he is prepared to hand the forward a role in tomorrow’s end-of-season finale.

 

He said: “It would not be a gamble to play Jamie, not from what we have seen from him in training. He has been to the specialist and there is no longer any hindrance now whatsoever.

 

“The most important thing is he is fit for when we return on June 30. If he plays tomorrow night, it will be a plus – although not for Rangers manager Walter Smith.

 

“Jamie has worked very hard and he has never even considered writing off his season and settling for coming back after the summer.

 

“He has been out for five months this season and if he can get some time on the pitch against Rangers it would give him a tremendous boost.â€

 

Calderwood is looking for ward to tomorrow night’s match against the Light Blues in front of a packed Pittodrie.

 

The game is close to being sold out and there will be no tickets available on the gates.

 

Rangers can lift the title if they better Celtic’s result against Dundee United at Tannadice but the Dons are hoping results elsewhere can open up the possibility of finishing fourth.

 

Calderwood does not think either match will be high scoring and he believes the Hoops have the advantage.

 

He said: “Celtic are big favourites because of their superior goal difference.

 

“It is not just because Rangers have got to play us.

 

“I cannot see a big result at Pittodrie or Tannadice, so I think you can rule out the goal difference closing. There is a lot of emotion around Celtic following the death of Tommy Burns.

 

“It would be great for our supporters for us to finish on a high. It would give the supporters something to enjoy in the summer and take into next season.â€

 

Dons supporters are reminded the ticket office will close two hours before kick-off tomorrow .

 

I take it from this he will only be on the subs bench for tomorrow?

Jimmy, don't, just fucking don't.

If he does start him, and he fails to reappear for the 2nd half, and more likely has to come off in the first, that would just taking the piss.

If he's fully fit why not play him?

yea play him

 

it's the the last game of the season.

 

He can recover over the summer from whatever injury he picks up.

 

If he's fully fit why not play him?

 

Because JC's definition of "fully fit"  seems to result in a lot of players getting re-injured in their comeback game.

 

I'm with The Chimp on this -  don't do it.

Because JC's definition of "fully fit"  seems to result in a lot of players getting re-injured in their comeback game.

 

I'm with The Chimp on this -  don't do it.

 

It's always JC's fault. 

 

Presumably the player himself and the medics have a fair amount of responsibility here?

 

Buck stops at the top.

 

It has happened too frequently for it to be acceptable.

Buck stops at the top.

 

It has happened too frequently for it to be acceptable.

 

So we're agreed. It's Milne & Miller's fault.

Presumably the player himself takes full responsibility here

 

 

He's the only one who can honestly say if he feels fit enough to play.

If he hasn't played even a reserve game in two months, he wont be fit enough to last 90 minutes in what is expected to be a high-tempo game.  That's the mistake that was made in the Celtic game he pulled up in.  I want to see him play but is very high risk to throw him in at the deep-end here.

 

He gets injured again tomorrow night (ie, recurrence of hamstring injury) then he misses the first two weeks (at least) of pre-season training and will be playing catch-up on the rest of the squad again.

If he hasn't played even a reserve game in two months, he wont be fit enough to last 90 minutes in what is expected to be a high-tempo game.  That's the mistake that was made in the Celtic game he pulled up in.  I want to see him play but is very high risk to throw him in at the deep-end here.

 

He gets injured again tomorrow night (ie, recurrence of hamstring injury) then he misses the first two weeks (at least) of pre-season training and will be playing catch-up on the rest of the squad again.

 

I'm not certain but wasn't Copenhagen his first game back in a while as well?

I'm not certain but wasn't Copenhagen his first game back in a while as well?

 

PWND

PWND

 

I am not certain but.....

 

Hoch fünf!

I am not certain but.....

 

Hoch fünf!

 

ROFL HARRIS 

 

I don't see why, if he is fit, he shouldn't at least be on the bench. Stick him on for the last 25 mins, while the Huns are pushing to win the title, and use him and Mackie to hit them on the break.