Calderwood says Dons’ quality has diminished

Jimmy Calderwood feels former club Aberdeen have struggled to replace the experienced professionals that have followed him out of Pittodrie.

Calderwood lost his job as Dons manager in May 2009 despite taking the club to the last 32 of the Uefa Cup, securing another season of European football, and always achieving top-six status in the SPL in five years at the helm.

Aberdeen have been in the bottom half for the bulk of the subsequent period with Craig Brown and Archie Knox struggling to improve on the poor results under predecessor Mark McGhee.

Calderwood, speaking at the second-round draw for the William Hill Scottish Cup, said: “They are very experienced, him and Archie, and it’s always the manager who gets the blame.

“I’ve not seen them but looking from the outside, which is always dangerous, I don’t think the quality of player they have brought in are as good as the quality of the ones who have left.

“A lot of experienced players, and winners, have left the club. Zander Diamond left, Derek Young knew what Aberdeen was about, Mark Kerr, Gary McDonald, good pros who know what’s needed to win a football game.”

Calderwood gave Third Division leaders Annan a tricky trip to Paul Hartley’s Alloa in the pick of the Scottish Cup second-round ties. There are not as many big road trips as in the first round but Golspie Sutherland still face a 500-mile round trip to Gala.