Saturday Tou Soon For Karim

Last updated : 08 September 2006 By Stand Free Ed

SUMMER signing Karim Touzani is out of Saturday's top of the table clash with Celtic at Pittodrie.

The elegant defender will miss the live game despite hopes earlier in the week that he would be passed fit.

The big Dutchman is joined on the sidelines by midfielder Kyle Macaulay, Steve Lovell and long-term injury victim Jamie Smith.

However, Michael Hart, Richie Byrne and Zander Diamond have all been passed fit for the crunch tie.

Diamond picked up a knock playing for the Scotland U21s at Pittodrie last Friday but has shaken it off and joins fellow internationalists Russell Anderson and Scott Severin in tomorrow's squad.

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood told RedWeb yesterday: "We were fairly confident Touzani would be back at the start of the week but he has suffered a little set back, but hopefully he will be back for next week's game.

"The good news is that Hart, Byrne and Diamond are all available, which gives me a bit of a nice selection headache."

Calderwood, like the fans, is excited at the prospect of new signing Lee Miller kicking off his Pittodrie career on Saturday, and revealed that the striker is champing at the bit.

He said: "Lee Miller has been doing well in training and there is every chance he will start on Saturday.

"He looks lively and is eager to get his debut for the club [and] is the kind of physical presence we've been lacking.

Celtic are the last team to beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie, on December 4th last year, and the Dons haven't beaten the Hoops on home soil for five years. However, Jimmy is confident that his players are up to the task of breaking that run.

He said: "They were the last team to beat us in the league at Pittodrie back in December so we have got a point to prove against them.

"The boys have been buzzing this week and there is certainly no fear in the squad when we go into big games like this against the Old Firm.

"Unlike some of the teams who visit Pittodrie, Celtic will push men forward and that might be a better prospect for us."

DONS supporters have been advised to turn up early for the game to avoid similar scenes to last Friday's Scotland U21 international at Pittodrie.

That game saw fans queuing until well after the match started, and the Pittodrie faithful have been told to arrive with plenty of time in hand as the kick-off will not be delayed due to the live television coverage.

A Pittodrie spokesman said: "We ask fans to please come down early for this game to help avoid any queues just prior to kick off."