http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/907693

 

Dons ace ready for Scotland – Jimmy

 

By Charlie Allan 

 

Published: 03/11/2008

 

 

But Calderwood believes Burley would be better turning to Miller – who gained his only cap so far against Japan in 2006 – to bolster the Scotland attack when Diego Maradona’s men come to Hampden on November 19.

 

Calderwood said: “With Kris Boyd out of the equation for Scotland, Lee deserves to at least get a chance.

 

“There has been a lot of debate about Novo, but there is not a better front man than Lee in Scotland at the moment.

 

“I’ve already told Lee he should be annoyed that the likes of Steven Fletcher and Chris Iwelumo are now in Scotland squads ahead of him.

 

“I said he needed to take a good look at himself and sort it by playing so well for us that he has to be considered.

 

“Lee loves it at Aberdeen and has a good life with a lovely wife, child and a decent lifestyle.

 

“That is all very well but what will the big house and nice car mean if he looks back at the end of his career and sees no honours and none of the Scotland caps he is well capable of gaining?

 

“Lee took it all in and has been sensational for us.â€

 

“Sone Aluko scored a great goal against Kilmarnock but Lee was our man of the match by a mile.

 

“He is the best forward in Scottish football when it comes to heading a ball.

 

“Lee allies that with tremendous skill for such a big lad and is now showing tremendous appetite for the game again.

 

“Sir Alex Ferguson went on about the way Lee gave Nemanja Vidic a hard time in our friendly against Manchester United at the start of the season, and he is not a bad judge of a player.

 

“Gordon Strachan and Walter Smith have also made mention of how well he played against their teams.â€

 

Calderwood also praised his players for finally grabbing their first home SPL win of the season thanks to Aluko’s curling effort early in the second half.

 

He said: “That was the big one for us.

 

“We can play better, but the lads gave everything and deserved to get the victory in the end.â€

Miller can make Scots mark, says Calderwood

By Michael Gannon

 

Published: 12/11/2008

 

 

HIT MAN: Andrew Considine, left, celebrates with team-mate Chris Maguire after scoring. Kenny Elrick

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has challenged Dons attacker Lee Miller to force his way into George Burley's Scotland squad.

 

The 25-year-old forward, who played a key role in last night's 2-0 victory against St Mirren, was omitted fro the Scotland squad to face Argentina at Hampden next week despite impressive performances in recent weeks.

 

Miller did not let the disappointment affect him at Pittodrie last night as Andrew Considine's 80th-minute opener and Sone Aluko's second three minutes from time gave Aberdeen a hard-fought victory in a wretched encounter.

 

Calderwood said: “George Burley has plenty of options so it is up to him. He watched Lee on Saturday so he knows what he can do.

 

“George told me Lee was in his thoughts a few months ago, so, while it is disappointing for Lee, he knows he is being considered.

 

“It is up to him to keep battling away and keep up his form.

 

“He was frustrated against St Mirren because the service was poor but I would have felt the same if I was him. Lee knows the interest is there and it is up to him to create some headlines for himself."

 

Calderwood was pleased with his side as Aberdeen claimed their second home victory of the season which did not seem likely as the match entered the latter stages.

 

The Dons toiled for long periods against an organised Buddies side but eventually found the breakthrough when Considine blasted home a Mark Kerr cutback before Aluko sealed the victory with three minutes remaining.

 

Until the opening goal a season-low Pittodrie attendance of 9,452 was becoming increasingly disgruntled with their side's display but Considine insisted the ends justified the means as the Dons climbed to fourth in the SPL ahead of tonight's fixtures.

 

Considine said: “It was always going to be a hard game but we dug in and got the result.

 

“I know the football was not that great and the supporters were not too happy but the three points were the main thing.

 

“It is massive to be up to fourth in the table. A few weeks ago we were bottom and down in the dumps but now if results go for us tonight we can be fourth going to Hibs on Saturday.

 

“To win ugly is just as important as thrashing teams. Too many times we have played better than teams and lost.

 

“We did not have the best of games but we were strong collectively and the defence was solid.

 

“The supporters have been disappointed with the results at home, they have been great, but we knew they were not enjoying it but you have to shut those things out.

 

“Mark Kerr did brilliantly down the line to cut it back, I just got my head down and hit it. It was a good goal but I was just happy to help the team out.

 

“I have made my fair share of mistakes, so it was equally good to get the clean sheet. I felt bad over the weekend. I have not been able to eat and it takes it out of you. I struggled a bit during the game but the goal helped."

 

I'd have Miller in over Iwulemo.

 

 

I'd have Miller in over Iwulemo.

 

 

I'd agree with that. However Iwulemo has scored a lot more goals than Miller has this season for his club has he not?

I'd agree with that. However Iwulemo has scored a lot more goals than Miller has this season for his club has he not?

 

Probably, I assume he has better service though.

 

We are missing Nicholson.

We are missing Nicholson.

 

Big style, but the few games I have been to and seen Macdonald play in, I'm quite convinced that he will become the next "Nicholson" if you will. Time will tell though. I think we all knew how good a squad we potentially had last season, just a shame we couldn't keep it together for the whole season and beyond.