LONG-SERVING Aberdeen striker Darren Mackie is reported to have been promised a new deal by the club.
The hard-working striker is one of six Dons players whose contracts expire next summer, and can speak to other clubs from next week.
Mackie, whose superb finish for the third goal against Inverness on Saturday was his 50th SPL goal for the club, still divides opinion amongst the Dons support.
But Jimmy Calderwood is baffled by those fans' criticisms of Mackigol, and believes the forward, who turns 29 next month, is getting better and better.
The Dons gaffer said: "Deciding whether to keep Mackie or not was always going to be one of the easiest I've made as a manager.
"It's made, now it is only a matter of sorting out the financial side and I don't anticipate any problems.
"He is one of the key players in the squad. He is Aberdeen-daft, he really does live the dream every time he pulls on the shirt.
"That's why I get baffled when some supporters have ago at him because he is one of them.
"He would do anything to help the team win. He's also a gem to work with and I want him at this club for as long as possible."
