Friday Free Period

This coming Friday, July 1st, will see a host of players who have not officially signed pre-contract agreements find themselves clubless. While it seems very boring at the moment for us punters, the players and their agents will be sending a myriad of faxes and emails and conducting endless amounts of telephone conversations in frantic behind-the-scenes effort to ensure a regular payslip next season.

Therefore, it could be that Aberdeen pick up a bargain in the next week, with the shopping list still topped by strikers. With the potential Kris Boyd and Steve Lovell transfers still locked in stalemate, the Dons may be more interested in picking up a Whelan or Pasquinelli-type signing or two. After all, these players were integral to Aberdeen's squad last season, contributing to the fourth place finish in the SPL, and neither cost a transfer fee.

Dons midfielder Markus Heikkinen is one of those who becomes a free agent on July 1, and he is likely to move to the continent with Greek giants olympiakos leading the chase for the Finnish international midfielder.

However one must feel sorry for Phil McGuire, who has agent John Viola attempting to set up a switch to SK Brann, where several Viola-led players have ended up after Scottish and English clubs have been turned off by the agent's methods.

Stephen Craig is unlikely to turn up for pre-season training with the Dons on Thursday, as he is likely to go on trial with Shrewsbury instead. But fellow ex-Fir Parker Derek Adams and the Dons' now number three goalkeeper David Preece will be reporting back for duty at Pittodrie as they have so far been unable to secure a move away from the Dons.

Looking forward to the start of pre-season training, Jimmy Calderwood is in no mood to allow the Dons players to relax after their much-improved showing last season. The gaffer told the Daily Record that any player who reports unfit at Pittodrie on Thursday will face being left behind, which could damage their first-team prospects: "Last term we were as fit as any team in the SPL which was one of the reasons for the progress we made. Players know what I expect of them during their holidays. Before we broke off, every one of them was given an exercise programme and a diet. If they haven't followed instructions they will struggle to cope and will suffer the consequences.

"However, they are a good bunch of lads who appreciate the need to remain in decent condition. I'm sure they will be in shape. I have scheduled just one half-day off because we will need all our time to get the players ready for the season. It will be hectic but there is no choice as this is the shortest pre-season I can remember. Despite the limited time, they will be ready for the campaign."