It's not looking good as far as getting the "contract rebels" signed up. I'd say they're now as good as offski.
The sound of silence from Dons contract rebels Zander Diamond, Michael Hart, Barry Nicholson and Chris Clark is causing concern at Pittodrie.
Keeper Jamie Langfieldaccepted the new three-year deal offered to him by the club last week, but the other four have yet to make a commitment.
With the transfer window due to re-open next week and other clubs reported to be ready to pounce on some of his prize assets, manager Jimmy Calderwood is getting worried.
"The longer they leave it the more worried I get," said Calderwood.
"There's only a few days left now until the new year and they know we want answers by then."
Calderwood is clinging to the hope all four will accept their new deals.
He added: "It would be a blow to lose any of them, but losing all four would be devastating to our chances of maintaining a level of success at Aberdeen.
"I would be left with a rebuilding job, but let's hope it doesn't come to that. I'm hoping one will break ranks and sign and the rest will follow."
Having spent his playing days in England and Holland, Calderwood understands why the players have not dived in and accepted the new deals right away.
He said: "The temptation to go to other places and leagues to experience playing there will be great. I enjoyed my time in England and Holland as a player.
"But these four lads have never had a taste of what it's like to play outside Scotland and you can't criticise them for wondering what it would be like.
"Players talk, so they tend to know what their mates down in England are on.
"That would leave them with a straight choice - keep the bank manager happy or stay and experience more things like playing in Europe and hopefully the excitement of domestic cup runs."
Calderwood would prefer to keep the players until summer, even if they do announce they don't want to stay beyond that.
Markus Heikkinen and Kevin McNaughton continued as top team regulars until they made their moves to Luton Town and Cardiff City respectively.
"Markus and Kevin told us up front and they continued to play because we needed them," said Calderwood.
"It would be the same with any of the four players this time.
"If they have something sorted for the summer, but the teams aren't able to come to an agreement with Aberdeen to get them right away, I would be happy to still pick them.
"They would only drop out of my plans once we have nothing to play for, then I would look to give some of our younger lads a run."
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It's not looking good as far as getting the "contract rebels" signed up. I'd say they're now as good as offski.
The sound of silence from Dons contract rebels Zander Diamond, Michael Hart, Barry Nicholson and Chris Clark is causing concern at Pittodrie.
Keeper Jamie Langfieldaccepted the new three-year deal offered to him by the club last week, but the other four have yet to make a commitment.
With the transfer window due to re-open next week and other clubs reported to be ready to pounce on some of his prize assets, manager Jimmy Calderwood is getting worried.
"The longer they leave it the more worried I get," said Calderwood.
"There's only a few days left now until the new year and they know we want answers by then."
Calderwood is clinging to the hope all four will accept their new deals.
He added: "It would be a blow to lose any of them, but losing all four would be devastating to our chances of maintaining a level of success at Aberdeen.
"I would be left with a rebuilding job, but let's hope it doesn't come to that. I'm hoping one will break ranks and sign and the rest will follow."
Having spent his playing days in England and Holland, Calderwood understands why the players have not dived in and accepted the new deals right away.
He said: "The temptation to go to other places and leagues to experience playing there will be great. I enjoyed my time in England and Holland as a player.
"But these four lads have never had a taste of what it's like to play outside Scotland and you can't criticise them for wondering what it would be like.
"Players talk, so they tend to know what their mates down in England are on.
"That would leave them with a straight choice - keep the bank manager happy or stay and experience more things like playing in Europe and hopefully the excitement of domestic cup runs."
Calderwood would prefer to keep the players until summer, even if they do announce they don't want to stay beyond that.
Markus Heikkinen and Kevin McNaughton continued as top team regulars until they made their moves to Luton Town and Cardiff City respectively.
"Markus and Kevin told us up front and they continued to play because we needed them," said Calderwood.
"It would be the same with any of the four players this time.
"If they have something sorted for the summer, but the teams aren't able to come to an agreement with Aberdeen to get them right away, I would be happy to still pick them.
"They would only drop out of my plans once we have nothing to play for, then I would look to give some of our younger lads a run."