Source: FOOTYMAD
Difference Of Opinion On Importance Of Final Games
Aberdeen and Hamilton meet today to settle final positions but Mark McGhee appears to be disinterested where his side finishes now that they are safe from relegation. Aberdeen face Hamilton hoping a win will boost their chances of finishing above today's opponents this season but manager Mark McGhee says their final position is irrelevant after missing out on the coveted places in the top half of the table. While not strictly true, as SPL payments are linked to finishing position, you get the idea that he is disappointed not to be playing in the big playground for the end of the season games. McGhee said: "I'm looking at individual games, I want to beat Hamilton and that's all that's at stake. Seventh, eighth, ninth - for me that's an irrelevance. If you're not first, second or third, then the rest doesn't matter. I know some people want to be in the top six, of course they do, and we do. But the reality is, you can be in the top six and be sixth and it means nothing. Really, it's that top four that you want to be in. If we are seventh, eighth or ninth, its irrelevant. But it's not irrelevant in the sense that we are trying to win a football match which may eventually take us to seventh or eighth or whatever but it's only about the game." Darren Mackie and Charlie Mulgrew will swap places on the suspension list as striker Mackie serves a one-game ban and defender Mulgrew returns from the same punishment. Gary McDonald is back in contention after recovering from the hamstring injury which threatened to end his season, Zander Diamond returns from a back problem, but Peter Pawlett (knee) and Andrew Considine (hip) are long-term absentees. Hamilton's James Wesolowski, who scored the winner when the sides met in January, is keen to stress he and his team-mates are desperate to win despite both teams being assured to end the season in a mid-table position. He said: "It'd be nice to win the last three games and get seventh spot. It'd be a nice way to end the season and it's something I'm looking forward to. The fans have been great and the manager's also been great. He has given me a lot of confidence and believed in me. The lads have been fantastic as well, and team spirit is one of the reasons why we're in such a good place this season." Wesolowski still has a lot to play for as he is eager to impress Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek and take a place in his squad that will represent Australia in this summer's World Cup. Despite only being called-up once in November 2007, Wesolowski has still not given up on his dream of playing in South Africa. But he added: "I'd say it's a less than 50-50 chance that I'll be at the World Cup. I haven't heard much from them recently and it's coming pretty close now. I think there'll be a squad announced in a few weeks, so I'll know by then. I'll definitely watch the games on TV if I don't make it and will be supporting Australia but it'll be hard to watch. You want to be there but, at the same time, I'm hoping we can do well.''Hamilton could welcome back James McArthur and Tomas Cerny for today's game. Both had to sit out last weekend's 1-0 win at Falkirk after picking up knocks in training, although goalkeeper Cerny was fit enough for a place on the bench. Left-back Brian Easton (knee) remains extremely doubtful after failing to train all week. Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
