Just you watch our Jeff go in SPL
Jimmy backing winger de Visscher
Published:
ABERDEEN winger Jeffrey de Visscher was today tipped to finally shine in the SPL.
Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood is convinced the Dutchman will prove his worth in the new season.
The 27-year-old struggled in his debut campaign at Pittodrie and made just 16 first team starts.
“Everyone will see a much better Jeffrey de Visscher next season,” said Calderwood.
“It’s always a bit of a culture shock for foreign players when they experience Scottish football for the first time.
“There’s no doubting Jeffrey’s quality and he’s extremely clever on the ball.
“There were matches last season when we really impressed, mainly because he was so influential.”
De Visscher, like the rest of the first team squad, was left with a strict fitness regime to follow during the close season.
And Calderwood reckons if the former De Graafschap player comes back in peak physical condition it will help him on the pitch as he bids to nail a place in the team.
He added: “Jeffrey has been told he needs to improve his fitness levels if he’s going to be a real success in Scotland.
“I expect he will have been working hard on that during the summer.
“If he can get that side of his game right then there is little doubt that will help him to develop even further.
“He’s also got a year’s experience of playing in the SPL so that can only help him.
“Jeffrey now knows exactly what to expect in terms of what the opposing teams are like, and what we expect at Aberdeen.
“I would like to think he’ll be better equipped for life in Scotland.”
De Visscher will report with the rest of Calderwood’s charges for pre-season training on Monday.
That’s also when the Dons boss is expected to up his search for fresh talent.
He’s signed Bertrand Bossu, Sammy Stewart and Gary McDonald.
But he wants more new recruits to further strengthen his first team pool.
The Dons are still in the market for a central defender, a wide midfield player and a striker.
Dutchman Tim Bakens is one of the latest names in the frame.
The 6ft 4in centre half keen to make the move to Pittodrie.
Bakens is available on a free contract after rejecting a new deal from RKC Waalwijk.
The 25-year-old is now just waiting to hear back from Calderwood if the deal will go ahead.
The Dons boss would rather land a left sided central defender to partner Zander Diamond, and Bakens is naturally right footed which could see the deal fall through.
Aberdeen have also been linked with Mark Kerr who will leave Dundee United at the end of the month.
But with Huddersfield and several other English clubs in the frame they face a real fight to land Kerr.
Calderwood is also still looking to replace Barry Nicholson who has yet to find a new club.
Nicholson could even train with his old club next week if he fails to find another team before then.
