Zander Is New Anders For Us

Sep 23 2007 Gordon Waddell

ABERDEEN'S midfielders have spent a decade never having to look over their shoulders with Russell Anderson covering their backs.

Now he's gone, Barry Nicholson reckons Zander Diamond proved on Thursday night he's ready to permanently fill the void.

The 22-year-old has blown hot and cold for Dons since bursting into the team as a gifted 18-year-old.

But his man-of-the-match performance in their no scoring UEFA Cup clash with Dnipro at Pittodrie showed he's matured into the kind of guy a playmaker can depend on again.

Diamond was a tower of power against the Ukrainians, shackling international frontman Andriy Vorobey and Russian Under-21 striker Sergey Samodin, winning every ball in the air, every tackle.

It was his 120th Dons game and Nicholson said: "If you're a midfielder and see the ball going over your head it's reassuring to know big Zander's there.

"You know he will go through everything to meet that ball.

"It's brilliant for us. He has been outstanding recently - last Saturday against Motherwell he was probably the only one who stood up to be counted. And against Dnipro he was immense.

"Zander has had ups and downs. The first season he was brilliant and made a name for himself.

"That was before I came but since then he's suffered a few injuries. Young players often have a good first season then can't live up to the expectation but if you're good enough you'll bounce back.

"He has the character to do it. Russell has left a gap and it's also a chance for Andy Considine and Lee Mair but Zander's certainly making the place his own."

Diamond was key to Thursday's clean sheet. But it's finding a goal at the other end that now becomes Dons' priority in Ukraine.

It won't be easy. Hibs took the same scoreline east with them two years ago and were thrashed 5-1.

Nicholson insists Dons have more positives than negatives though.

He said: "The game was within our grasp and it was disappointing not to score.

"But the gaffer stressed how important it was to get over there with a clean sheet. We're delighted with the way we played, we were just missing the killer touch.

"Their keeper had a few great saves but our confidence is lifted.

"It willl be a different game over there. They'll have more of the ball and we may change our system.

"But there's no reason to fear anything. We just need to be brave to get on the ball and keep it. To get to the groups would be huge both for the players and financially."

Baz is also hoping that holding the talented Ukrainians gives Aberdeen enough of a boost to kick-start their domestic campaign.

With just one win in their first six SPL games it's a long way back to the third spot that booked their place in Europe in the first place.

But the midfielder said: "We're due some credit - Dnipro were a good side. But the difference was we raised our performance. We've been waiting all season for that.

"We've been close - the opener against Dundee United was disappointing then we mostly dominated Celtic and conceded late.

"We haven't become a bad team overnight and can still challenge for a European spot."