Dons return to familiar pre-season roots

By Andrew Moir

Published:

FEELING THE STRAIN: Zander Diamond feels the heat as he and the rest of the Aberdeen players train in the Alexandria Stadium, Egypt, last year.

CAR CRASH: Jamie Smith, left, and Michael Hart were involved in an accident with a minibus.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: The Aberdeen players round the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt in 2007.

MY BALL: Darren Mackie gets the better of a Premier United player in South Africa.

AFTER two disastrous pre-season tours, Jimmy Calderwood is relishing a return to Holland.

The Dons travelled to Johannesburg in South Africa in 2006, but struggled to cope with the searing heat.

And it was worse 12 months ago in Egypt as the piercing sun left the players constantly drained.

Michael Hart and Jamie Smith were also involved in an car accident when the taxi they were in hit a minibus at high speed.

But after a two-year absence, Calderwood’s charges are heading back to the more serene surrounding of Delden, east of Amsterdam.

The Reds jet out on Wednesday, July 23, and Calderwood is convinced they’ll reap the rewards from their training camp this year.

“Things were difficult in both South Africa and Egypt mainly because of the heat,” said Calderwood.

“But I’m looking forward to going to Delden as it is a place I know so well.

“I have been there numerous times over the last 10 years and it’s great because you get well looked after.

“It is also good to get all the boys together and is a good bonding session.

“Going to Holland will be great for new lads Gary McDonald, Bertrand Bossu and Sammy Stewart.”

Calderwood spent 20 years as a player and coach in Holland serving various clubs in different roles.

When he returned to Scotland to boss Dunfermline in 1999, he always knew he would never enjoy working with the same standard of training facilities.

And Calderwood is convinced that is why Holland produce some of the best players in the world and made a huge impression at Euro 2008.

He added: “It is all about vision and we are miles behind all the top clubs in Holland.

“I am jealous of the facilities the Dutch clubs have got to work with.

“We are lucky we have got the Barracks and the pitches there are brilliant and we use that base when we are working on our tactics.

“The university playing fields are also good, but it would be a massive help if we had a custom built facility.

“My biggest gripe about coming back to Scotland was leaving the Dutch training centres.

“Even the amateur teams in Holland put us to shame – and they are all council backed.

“It is a community initiative and it keeps kids off the streets as there are tennis courts, basketball courts and every other sporting facility you could want.

“We just don’t see to have the same vision and where does the money come from now?

“It is probably far too late for us now, but at least there are plans ahead for Aberdeen which is very refreshing.”

Calderwood is pleased clubs in Britain are playing catch up with their Dutch counterparts.

But he just feels it is too little, too late.

“It cost Rangers £22million to build Murray Park and no-one else outside Celtic can match that.

“It would be nice to think that one day all that could change.

“Celtic have their facility at Lennoxtown which is also impressive.

“I have been down to Liverpool’s academy which costs £1m a year to run.

“Their argument is that if they produce one Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler a year then it is worth it.

“I met Steve Heighway down there and their production line of young talent is very impressive.

“That’s the standard we’ve got to aspire to.”