Mackie made to wait
26 Oct 2006 - 16:48:59
Aberdeen striker Darren Mackie has been told he still has plenty of work to do to prove he deserves a new contract at Pittodrie.
The 24-year-old is keen to stay at the club where he started his career, but Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood's top priority is to negotiate new terms with Jamie Smith.
Mackie is likely to have to wait until January for a decision on his future and Calderwood has urged him to use the next few months to put himself in a strong position for a new deal.
"We are still talking to Jamie at the moment about extending his contract," he told the Evening Express.
"Once that has been done I will get down to discussing what budget I have to offer those whose contracts are coming to an end.
"I hope to be able to tell them exactly what is happening by January.
"I won't keep any of the players hanging on but it means Darren will have to be patient.
"He could help his cause by scoring a few more goals.
"It was great to see him getting on target against (Dundee) United. If he could do that more regularly then he knows it would strengthen his argument for a new deal."