Javan, Cellick and ‘mon the Reds, the Can Cans and the Locies!!

By: TheNorthernLight | January 16th, 2009

So, Aberdeen inched another three points closer to third spot and what will no doubt be another glorious European campaign. The win over plucky Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in midweek night involved a memorable come-back from a goal down, both goals (or ‘brace’ to use the correct terminology) coming from Reds top scorer Lee Miller. After Miller received his December Player of The Month Award, Aberdeen gaffer Jimmy Calderwood expressed his fears about losing his on-form striker but now seems resolved to hold on to Miller mainly, we suspect, because no offers have come in for him and because Aberdeen only have Darren Mackie up front to pose any kind of threat in up-ing the ‘GF’ column. Opposite number Jim Jefferies is pretty radge about the defeat but then again, I cant remember him not being radge about anything these days, he is turning into the Victor Meldrew of Scottish Football that man.

The Reds are boosted this week by the arrival of Javan Vidal from Manchester City on a six-month loan. It’ll come as no surprise that Javan is a right-back, no doubt brought in to replace Jared Hodgkiss who returned back to WBA. Now, I’ve never heard of Javan, so let Michael Lee (who seems to run a blog about Javan) explain further …

Javan has shown to be the epitome of natural talent and hard work, surely one day leading him to achieve his overall goal of earning his chance in the first team. Although in February this season having sustained a major injury with torn knee ligaments Javan is now close to full recovery and can’t wait to be back training. With regular chats for guidance with close friend Micah Richards and first team coach Sven Goren Eriksson, Javan feels he can only continue the good work he has shown since his arrival at City as a raw 13 year old. Putting pressure on the first team players is Javan’s job, with the vast amounts of money available for transfers at Manchester City he will need to prove his worth immediately in finding a place in the first 11. Players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha and Michael Johnson have made the leap from the youth system to the first team, history would suggest Javan can and may just do the same.

Sounds like an exciting prospect, so he does. And speaking of right-backs, former Don Richie Byrne has gone to Inverness Caley. I always thought Byrne was a decent player, hard working and physical (he’s a big lad) so I’m glad to see him still playing, after that move to Oldham turned to nothing.

So this Sunday sees the Reds looking forward to another easy three points no doubt when the Celtic horse-and-pony show comes to town. Aye ok, Celtic are running away with the league and all that, especially now that Rangers are seemingly on the road to self-destruction, but I reckon they’re there for the taking, even though we’ve not beaten them at Pittodrie since 2001 or something. The midweek win over Kilmarnock will also boost the confidence, especially considering the fact that we did something I dont think we’ve done all season, i.e. come from behind to win a game. Aside from Derek Young and former Celt Jamie Smith Jimmy Calderwood has pretty much a full-strength squad to choose from.

We suffered at the hands of Celtic last season. Losing twice (3-1 and 5-1) at home, we did manage a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie before going to Parkhead and sneaking a 1-0 win with a second-half Darren Mackie goal.

I actually believe we can win this game, provided we dont do the usual thing of forgetting to defend. I’m keen to see the new boy Javan who describes himself as an attacking right-back team up with Mulgrew on the left (can Mulgrew be classed an attacking left-back?). With Aloku and de Visccher on the wings to add some pace and a deadly cross to Miller to nod down for Mackie, we could be on to a winner. And if we need to get in amongst them, send on Tommy Wright for a bit of physical presence.

So, prediction time, and I’ve got to go for an Aberdeen win: one-nil, Mackie with the goal.

Before I go, can I give a wee shout out to two of the Highland League finest, Inverurie Locos and Foress Mechanics. Now, Locos are still to play Motherwell in the Scottish Cup (21st Jan I believe the date is now) while Foress where heroically put out by Third division Forfar Athletic earlier this week. I mention them because, for one, these two clubs close to Aberdeen, secondly the fact that they made it to that stage of the Scottish Cup at all is a miracle, and, thirdly, they meet up this week in the Highland League.

‘Mon the REDS, ‘mon the Can Cans, ‘mon the Locies!!