DON STILL ON NIGERIA UNDER-20 World Cup DUTY IN EGYPT

No early return by Aluko to face Killie

 

By Michael Gannon

 

Published: 02/10/2009

 

Sone Aluko:waiting game

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Aberdeen’s Nigerian international attacker Sone Aluko will not be making a dramatic return to Scotland from the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt to face Kilmarnock tomorrow.

 

The prospect of an early return has been ruled out after the Flying Eagles’ 5-0 victory against Tahiti in Cairo last night kept alive their hopes of reaching the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides. Aluko was in the Nigeria starting line-up and was replaced after 67 minutes.

 

Nigeria were in jeopardy of an early exit after losing their opening group matches against Spain and Venezuela but now face a nervous 48-hour wait on the outcome of the final round of matches.

 

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee was already resigned to losing Aluko for the Rugby Park encounter, although his presence would have been a tonic to a squad already bereft of defenders Zander Diamond, Jerel Ifil and Davide Grassi as well as forward Tommy Wright.

 

The Dons defence may require emergency surgery as the Reds look to extend their run of five consecutive clean sheets in the SPL, but McGhee is more concerned with improving his side in attack.

 

Aberdeen are just two games away from matching the SPL record of seven shutouts in a row, achieved by Celtic in 2001 but, in contrast, Aberdeen have scored just once in their last four SPL matches – against St Mirren – and the manager wants his side to be more of a goal threat.

 

He said: “I would like to see us scoring more and that has been more a focus in training this week. The clean sheet record is an irrelevance to me.

 

“I do not care if we keep a clean sheet at Kilmarnock as long as we get all three points. I do not mind if it is 1-0 or 4-2, the most important thing is we score more goals than they do. The clean sheet record is not something I am thinking about, it would be a pleasing postscript but nothing more.â€

 

The shutout run has helped Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield earn a call for the Scotland squad which heads to Japan next week.

 

McGhee wants maximum points to take into the international break but he will not underestimate Kilmarnock, who have made a solid, if unspectacular, start to the SPL season.

 

Killie forward Kevin Kyle is the main danger but the Dons manager insisted he is more concerned of what his side can do to trouble the hosts.

 

He said: “Killie have a simple but effective style. They are very direct up to Kevin Kyle. I am not thinking about how we play against Kevin Kyle, though. I am thinking about how we can cause problems in their penalty area.

 

“We have a fortnight’s break after this game, so it is a big one for us. Three points and we have a positive two weeks and by the end of them we could have Zander and Jerel back fit and we would be in a decent position in the league.â€

 

Nice to read we're not lining up to suit their play and I completely agree with his sentiments towards the clean sheets, goals scored is what we need! We really need three points here, although Killie did look decent and dangerous against the Huns, which is why I think it will be a draw, but here's hoping to me being wrong

Big_Al the highlights suggested we were quite lucky to get away with a point? I thought Millers touch for the McDonald goal that was ruled offside was good as was the finish, tight call for offisde imo. Maguire was unlucky with his effort and likewise Paton.

For their entertainment value alone I just wanna thank the half dozen lads who started singing a number of great Aberdeen tunes as they left Central Station and headed in the direction of Queen Street where I as going.  The sense of humour on show made my day. 

For their entertainment value alone I just wanna thank the half dozen lads who started singing a number of great Aberdeen tunes as they left Central Station and headed in the direction of Queen Street where I as going.  The sense of humour on show made my day.

 

They were guys from the Red Ultras. I saw them too.

Big_Al the highlights suggested we were quite lucky to get away with a point? I thought Millers touch for the McDonald goal that was ruled offside was good as was the finish, tight call for offisde imo. Maguire was unlucky with his effort and likewise Paton.

 

In all honesty the highlights won't lie but i've not personally seen them.

Possession wise we totally bossed the first half and yet they probably had the better chances. We had loads of the ball without any penetration. Said at half time we wouldn't get so much of the ball in second half and so it proved. On chances created and on reflection Dingus is probably correct that it was a point gained rather than two dropped. Over the years I've sat through some awful shite games of ours down here, but Saturday was one of the better ones.