http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/1190289

 

Will Aberdeen FC make Europe?

Dons legends give their views

 

Published: 27/04/2009

 

CRUCIAL: Joe reckons Aberdeen’s clash with Dundee United will be vital in the race for Europe.

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WITH the post-split fixtures starting on Saturday, we challenged our columnists to predict what will happen in the climax of this season’s SPL.

 

Aberdeen FC legends Joe Harper and Stewart McKimmie give their verdicts on the big question of whether their former club can finish in the top four.

 

The duo also have their say on how the top six will end up, who will win the title and which club will slip through the relegation trapdoor to the First Division.

 

YES, says JOE HARPER

 

ABERDEEN FC will qualify for Europe next season, because they are at their best when written off.

 

With Zander Diamond, Derek Young and Jamie Smith all out injured, people are starting to question whether Aberdeen FC have the strength to finish fourth.

 

But Jimmy Calderwood’s side play well when they are labelled underdogs.

 

It’s when they are favourites that they can sometimes blow it.

 

The evidence for that lies in the recent cup defeats to lower league Dunfermline, Queen of the South and Queen’s Park.

 

The most important game will be against Dundee United at Tannadice, and I am backing Aberdeen to come out on top.

 

Calderwood will go there to play for the win and that will pay dividends for the Dons.

 

Lee Miller will be back from suspension having missed two games in a row against Celtic.

 

The break will have done him good, and Miller will be ready to rediscover the form that got him into the Scotland squad earlier this season.

 

The crunch clash at Tannadice comes in just the second round of the post-split fixtures.

 

I believe it will set the tone for both sides’ run-ins.

 

After that game, Aberdeen are at home to Hearts, while United have to go to Celtic.

 

With the Hoops going for the title, they will be too strong for Craig Levein’s side.

 

United will get beat and that will knock the stuffing out of their challenge.

 

But Aberdeen will have to be content to finish behind Hearts.

 

I always believed they would survive the loss of former skipper Christophe Berra to Wolves in February.

 

I said it was United who would eventually be left trailing, and I am sticking with that prediction.

 

NO, says STEWART McKIMMIE

 

IT’S GOING to be a disappointing end to the season for Aberdeen, as they will finish fifth in the SPL.

 

It is between the Dons and Dundee United for fourth place, because Hearts will definitely come third.

 

But United will edge the race to claim a Europa League spot due to the fact they will be stronger in central defence.

 

Losing Zander Diamond for the rest of the season is going to be a big blow for the Dons.

 

In comparison, United have someone at the heart of their backline who I believe should have been nominated for Player of the Year in Lee Wilkie.

 

It is vital at this stage of the season not to give away any cheap goals and United have a far better chance of avoiding that problem.

 

Aberdeen are also experiencing difficulties at the other end of the park because they are not scoring enough goals.

 

Diamond’s absence means they are more likely to concede and that would result in the Dons having to score at least twice to win a game.

 

They don’t currently look capable of doing that against the leading sides in the SPL.

 

United on the other hand have Francisco Sandaza up-front, and he is a player that revels in big games.

 

The two North-east clubs will have to fight for fourth as neither are capable of winning three games after the split.

 

That is what it would take to catch Hearts, who have surprised me.

 

I predicted they would fall away before this stage of the season.

 

My belief is that they would be behind both United and Aberdeen.

 

But Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo has done a fantastic job and they will pick up enough points to consolidate their position in third place.

 

I say yes!

 

But anyway, doesn't Harper write McKimmie's atricles? Harper trying to look like the good guy for once?

When did we last at Tannadice in the league? Last week?

 

I lasted at Tannadice the last time I was there. Think the team did too.

No for me.

 

We've been playing shite since the turn of the year and had no injury worries until now.  Therefore I can't see things getting any better.

 

I also don't think we've shown at any point bar a couple games against Celtic and Hearts that we deserve to be in Europe.

My Dad turned to me after the Bayern game and said it'll be another three years before we see another one of these. With the players we've lost and are losing, a new team will have to be built. No one wants to hear such harsh realities after a game like that, but he was probably right. 

I remember when we were beat by Skonto Riga, my mum was furious, "we'll get revenge on these sons of bitches one day," she said.

I remember when we were beat by Skonto Riga, my mum was furious, "we'll get revenge on these sons of bitches one day," she said.

 

And did you and your mother ever get revenge on those sons of bitches?

By 'we' I assume she meant Aberdeen, for the life of me I don't think she meant that her and I would exact revenge on Skonto Riga.  I'll ask her though.