The Aberdeen squad’s affection for Jimmy Calderwood will not prevent them from sending their former manager’s Kilmarnock side deeper into relegation trouble.
The Dons head to Rugby Park on Easter Sunday with their own agenda, but victory would inflict further woe on Calderwood’s Killie, who are just four points above SPL bottom club Falkirk.
Calderwood was a popular figure with the Dons playing squad and many were unhappy with the decision to sack him at the end of last season after five consecutive top-six finishes.
Current manager Mark McGhee is confident the emotions will be put to one side on Sunday, however. He said: “I think it’s always in the back of the players’ minds and I’m sure they would rather not be playing Kilmarnock as they don’t want to be part of anything which would cause him ill because he was so popular.
“They are professional, however, and know they need to do the business, so I don’t believe it will effect their performances.â€
McGhee is not reading too much into Killie’s abysmal recent record of six consecutive defeats.
The Dons only ended an 11-match winless run with last week’s victory against St Mirren and badly need to construct a semblance of form for the rest of the campaign.
The opportunity to reach the top six of the SPL has not yet completely evaporated, although the Dons require Hearts to drop points against St Mirren tomorrow and then hope for St Johnstone to suffer similar misfortune against Dundee United on Monday.
McGhee, who will today head to England to scout for new players, said: “Kilmarnock received a lift when Jimmy came in, which is often the case when a new manager arrives. But the results have not been going for them recently.
“They have lost six in a row, but they have had some very difficult fixtures in there.
“It is a bit like ourselves. Going 11 matches without a win does not look good in black and white, but, even in that run, there were some positive displays, such as against Celtic, Hibs and latterly against Dundee United.
“They are in a situation like ourselves where confidence is fragile. If they get the first goal then it could all change and the confidence which has been missing for five or six games comes flooding back.â€
Aberdeen midfielder Gary McDonald has failed to recover from a hamstring strain, defender Jim Paterson has returned to Plymouth, while attacker Steven MacLean will miss out through suspension.
Dons forward Chris Maguire has scored four goals in eight matches during a fruitful loan spell at Rugby Park, but he will not be permitted to face his parent club.
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MON THE DONS!