I'll Sign A New Deal But Only If You Give The Gaffers One Too Says Barry Nicholson
Oct 8 2007
Gordon Waddell
Aberdeen V St Mirren Today, Kick-Off 3pm
BARRY NICHOLSON has his eye on a new deal at Aberdeen.
But he has warned the club sorting out Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl's futures first could be the best way to persuade him and his pals to stay put.
The midfield ace, who has spent seven of the past eight seasons under Calderwood's guidance, is one of 10 Dons stars whose contracts expire at the end of the season.
But it's the fact the management team are in the same boat that worries Nic most.
Calderwood's success in taking Aberdeen back to the top three and into Europe has made him a target down south.
And with his long-term Pittodrie future uncertain Nicholson is not surprised the vultures are circling.
As he prepared for today's St Mirren clash the 29-year-old said: "It didn't surprise me at all, hearing that a few weeks ago.
"There's a lot of uncertainty. Many players signed around the same time, the length of contracts were all similar, so the club knew this was going to happen.
"It's difficult. Some boys have spoken to the club, some haven't. I've had one brief meeting with Willie Miller and my agent.
"Aberdeen have said they want to keep me but nothing else has been discussed.
"The gaffer's future comes into it though. He brought me here. I worked under him at Dunfermline and I enjoy the training.
"If something could be sorted for him that might be a factor in my decision. I'll have to look at any deal and see what's best for me.
"But it would definitely help stability if we knew who the manager was going to be.
"Stuff floated round about other clubs sniffing after Jimmy but nothing came of it.
"Until his situation is clear nobody knows what will happen. But the players would rather know if he was staying.
"The boss was a big part of me going to Dons. I always knew it was a big club but the two Jimmys were one of the main reasons.
"I was successful under them at Dunfermline and wanted to keep that going."
Nic knows the cause of the uncertainty over everyone's future is cash - or lack of it.
He also knows part of the responsibility for improving that situation lies on the park.
Barry said: "I don't know how much difficulty the club are in - but it's the only reason I can think of for leaving it so long to sort out the two Jimmys.
"The players know there are financial constraints. Lots of them are out of contract.
"The better we do in cups and the higher up the league we finish, it makes it easier for the club to offer us improved contracts. We've let ourselves down in cups recently. We should be getting to semis and finals. That should be the next step as well as staying in third."
Nicholson reckons their 2-0 win over Gretna might be the start of a 12-point sprint.
With St Mirren, Inverness and Falkirk the next three opponents there's a decent chance to put a real dent in the top six by the time the first round of games is over.
Barry said: "All the boys are still buzzing from knocking out Dnipro and the fans will be the same so the last thing we want to do is let ourselves and them down against St Mirren.
"It's brilliant to live up to the legacy of the legends we see on the walls when we come into training every day.
"Getting the guarantee of another four European games is fabulous - hopefully we will draw some glamorous names.
"But the last thing we want to do is let everybody down by taking our eye off the ball in these domestic matches."
