Source: Team_Talk
Calderwood hoping for Dons welcome
Calderwood led Aberdeen into the top six of the SPL in each of his five seasons in charge but he is unsure of the welcome that awaits him on Saturday as he returns as Kilmarnock boss.[LNB]Calderwood left Aberdeen in May last year on the day he led the club into Europe for the second time, but a section of the support failed to fully take to him because of a failure to reach a cup final.[LNB]However, he has never experienced problems with any Aberdeen fan in person and hopes that remains the case.[LNB]"They have been fabulous," the former Dunfermline boss said. "I've had a lot of letters and texts. They have been absolutely brilliant, but they always were.[LNB]"Maybe these websites were different but privately they were always brilliant.[LNB]"It was wonderful, a fabulous time in my life. I was very proud to be manager of such a great club.[LNB]"It was a wonderful city to live in and you miss it every day. But that's life, you just get on with it."[LNB]Calderwood has spoken of his disappointment over the manner of his exit, which came days after the board privately failed to back him.[LNB]The former Birmingham defender had been linked with several jobs in England during his time at Pittodrie, but no concrete offers materialised before he took over at Rugby Park last week.[LNB]Calderwood is not sure whether the manner of his exit affected his job prospects but he remains proud of his record at Pittodrie.[LNB]"You never know with these things," he said. "We were bottom of the league in October and we finished up in Europe.[LNB]"We've got a wonderful record in the league and getting to the last 32 of Europe in the modern day was phenomenal.[LNB]"It was a wonderful time but it's gone and I've just got to get on with it."[LNB]Calderwood laughed off suggestions he would have a few tactical tricks up his sleeve against a Dons team who have been struggling for goals this season.[LNB]"There's no tricks, we know their strengths," he said. "Young Darren Mackie has come back and done really well.[LNB]"Young (Peter) Pawlett is blossoming. We gave him his debut at Ibrox, a wonderful talent.[LNB]"Hopefully he keeps learning and takes it on. I hear he wants to play for Scotland and hopefully it stays that way.[LNB]"Young Fraser Fyvie is coming through, they are still a good bunch of players. Their luck will change sooner rather than later, as long as it's not Saturday."[LNB]Killie's luck appeared to turn on Monday when Manuel Pascali inadvertently knocked Falkirk out of the Active Nation Scottish Cup when Gavin Skelton's shot hit the bar and bounced in off the Italian.[LNB]And Calderwood hopes he has a fully focused Kevin Kyle after the striker ironed out his differences with Michael Johnston following public criticism over the chairman's policies and conduct.[LNB]"You could see it was affecting him," Calderwood said. "I had a talk with him last Saturday and we said we would need to get this sorted out.[LNB]"Luckily enough Kevin and the chairman have sorted it out. You could see yesterday it was a load off his mind and he was back training with a smile on his face which is great for everybody."[LNB][LNB] Aberdeen v Kilmarnock. Click here to bet.
