Jimmy Prepares Fans For Window Disappointment

Last updated : 30 January 2007 By Stand Free Ed

JIMMY CALDERWOOD has all but admitted defeat in his attempts to bring in new faces during the January transfer window.

The window slams shut tomorrow night and the only sign of movement at Pittodrie is around the exit door.

Former Leeds United midfielder Jamie Winter has travelled to Boston United on trial, while Elgin City is likely to sign young defender David Donald on a loan deal today.

Ex-Dons manager Steve Paterson would also like to sign silky midfielder Kyle Macauley on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell at new club Peterhead.

However, Calderwood does not want to panic buy in the window despite these potential departures and a long injury list because the Dons face only two SPL matches in February, both at Pittodrie, against the bottom and top sides in the league: Dunfermline on February 10 and Celtic a week later.

He told the P&J: "We thought we might able to do something in the transfer market, but that is not going to happen.

"We have made moves in the windows before which have perhaps not worked out as we would have liked. Ferne Snoyle started well but then didn't go on as we would have liked.

"It is difficult, you don't want to upset the applecart. If we can get through the next two matches and we then have [Richie Byrne, Zander Diamond, Jamie Smith and Craig Brewster] coming back, then I would fancy our chances against any team in the SPL.

"It is down to us keeping everyone fit."

Alan Gow, a player that Calderwood has already had discussions with, looks set to head to Ibrox by the time the window shuts but Falkirk have already rejected three offers from Rangers, and if no move is done by Thursday Gow will be free to leave in the summer putting Aberdeen back in contention.

Plus, a slightly curious story surrounds Darren Mackie. Despite featuring in local newspaper articles in the last fortnight saying he is delighted to sign a new contract with the Dons in the next couple of days, no such contract has yet been signed.

A cynic may argue that Aberdeen are still prepared to offload Mackie in the transfer window if the right offer came along, hence the reluctance to sort out a contract since the first story appeared on January 15th.

And with Jimmy's history of leaving things to the last minute, perhaps Dons fans should not write anything off yet.