DUNFERMLINE'S new gaffer Jim McIntyre believes Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood is a top manager - and hopes Pars fans will show their appreciation on Saturday.
The clubs clash in the Homecoming Scottish Cup quarter finals when Calderwood and assistant Jimmy Nicholl return to their old stomping ground.
And the Dons management team are likely to be in for a hostile reception from the East End Park regulars - if they can be heard above Aberdeen's 6000-strong travelling faithful.
Despite gaining promotion to the SPL, a fourth place finish in the top flight, reaching a Scottish Cup final and qualifying for Europe during the two Jimmys' five years in charge of the Pars, their fans have never forgiven the pair for moving on to Pittodrie.
Yet McIntyre, the man charged in January with restoring Dunfermline's place in the SPL, has nothing but admiration for what predecessors Calderwood and Nicholl achieved at the Fife outfit - and he hopes the fans can see past their bitterness on Saturday.
McIntyre said: "The two Jimmys did a marvellous job here, and they should be applauded for the work they did for this club.
"They deserve a warm welcome on their return after the way they raised the bar at East End Park.
"The pair of them made this a top six club that was vying for cup finals and qualifying for Europe.
"I have nothing but good words to say about these two guys.
"In fact, as a player I can tell you these are the two men I'd have loved to have worked under.
"I always admired the way they had their teams play and there was always good banter when you came up against them."
