Dons boss reveals MacLean hopes

Last updated : 23 January 2010 By Team Talk

ABERDEEN manager Mark McGhee believes he still has a chance of bagging Plymouth striker Steven MacLean.

The Dons boss claimed last week he had no chance of signing the Pilgrims ace, saying he expected a Championship side to win the race for his signature.

But, with such a move yet to materialise and MacLean yet to rule out Aberdeen as an option, McGhee is refusing to give up hope just yet.

He said: "I've maintained contact with that situation and, until he goes and signs somewhere else, there is always the possibility that he may come here.

"The boy has made it clear that it is one of his options to come here.

"But he is determined to try to give it as long as possible to try to get a permanent move out of Plymouth and we can't do anything about that.

"If he doesn't make that permanent move, chances are that he would be willing to come here."

Meanwhile, McGhee believes only some disappointing results in cup competitions prevented his predecessor Jimmy Calderwood from becoming the most successful Aberdeen manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.

Calderwood parted company with the Dons in the summer and returns to the club for the first time since his departure as manager of Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash.

McGhee said: "I think a couple of difficult results in semi-finals were the difference between Jimmy being the most successful manager here since Alex Ferguson and going away with a great record in terms of league finishes and a great European run - and that cup thing being held against him.

"It's such a thin line between success and failure in these situations. But I think overall he has to have been judged as having done really well.

"I believe he should be welcomed back here with open arms and appreciated."

And McGhee says the return of Calderwood has made him ponder what his own achievements could be at Aberdeen.

"Absolutely," he said.

"I've said since I got here that I think Jimmy's achievements are the benchmark for us.

"Top four finishes in three consecutive years, a great European run - including getting through the league to the knockout stage. That is incredible.

"For us to aspire to that is the right thing to do but it's going to be hard to match."

 

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Source: Team Talk

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Source: Team Talk