Anderson Looking To Climb Ladder With Plymouth

Mar 23 2008 Gordon Waddell

Russ Climbs Back Up Ladder With Plymouth

RUSSELL ANDERSON took 10 years and 330 games to prove he could get to the top - and just 118 minutes to fall off the summit.

Now he's starting the climb again at Plymouth Argyle.

But he's more determined than ever to get back to his peak. And when he does he wants to be wearing Sunderland and Scotland jerseys.

The 29-year-old defender's £1million summer switch to the Stadium of Light was one of the hardest earned in the game.

But after being the rock at the heart of Aberdeen for a decade Russell was crocked in his first start for Roy Keane and watched helplessly from the sidelines for four months as he slid further down the pecking order.

However, a January loan move to link up with Paul Sturrock to bolster Paul the Pilgrims' push for promotion has rejuvenated the centre-half - and preserved his place in George Burley's first squad.

Anderson said: "It has been far from ideal. New club, you're so excited about a fresh beginning.

"I'd made one sub appearance then got my first start at the end of August against Luton in the League Cup.

"But I ended up out until December because I'd done my ankle ligaments and needed an operation.

"It was so disappointing. The last few years I've averaged more than 40 games a season so for this to happen at a new club when you're trying to prove yourself was a nightmare.

"While you're out the manager has to make decisions on whether to strengthen. You're no good to him injured.

"Since then a couple of lads have come in to the team, Johnny Evans and Nyron Nosworthy, and kept the jerseys. That kind of consistency is good for the club but for me? That's football. What can you do?

"I couldn't get reserve games because of the weather so the manager and I both decided I needed games and when Plymouth came in I went for it.

"I'd heard a wee rumour about a loan to Aberdeen but it wouldn't have done anyone any good.

"It would have been a stop-gap thing, maybe a month, and while it might have helped them short term everyone needs to move on.

"I've kept an eye on the club and admit when the draw against Bayern Munich was made there was a wee 'What if?' thinking I could have been playing.

"But it's sliding doors isn't it? So I ended up at Plymouth and it was a whirlwind start.

"I trained with Sunderland in the morning, got pulled in at half 11, signed the papers, didn't have ID for the plane, dashed home, got the flight, met the team at half four and played in a 2-0 win over Southampton at night.

"It has worked out well though - it's a great dressing-room and the standard is high."

High standards is something Russell knows all about - he has set them throughout his career.

But on moving to the Premiership he discovered he had to start all over again.

Anderson said: "My time at Aberdeen seems to count for nothing.

"I've heard it said people down here don't pay attention to Scottish football but until you arrive you don't realise how true that is.

"There's no real reason for them to look at the Scottish game. There's no Shevchenko, Drogba, Rooney or Gerrard up there. If there was English people would be interested.

"So I just need to forget what I've done and prove myself here."

Russell currently has three bosses he needs to impress.

That will be trimmed by one when his Argyle loan deal - which has been extended by another month - ends. However, when the two left are Keane and Burley he knows he has to be at the top of his game.

Anderson said: "You have to set high standards anyway but when you factor in what Roy expects and how he judges you it raises the bar enormously.

"And he does judge you. He judges everybody according to the players he played with and the standards he set. That has to be good for players though.

"As for George and Scotland, it was a pleasant surprise to be included for the get-together last month.

"And it's great to still be involved in the squad to face Croatia after he whittled the numbers down.

"If I'd been stuck back up the road in Sunderland not playing it would have affected my chances of selection.

"I wouldn't have felt comfortable if I'd been included despite lacking regular action.

"You need to earn your Scotland jersey. To do that you need to be playing, be in the right state of mind and condition - which I am now."

Anderson has spent a career being a Scotland bridesmaid, rarely the bride, despite a solid reputation keeping him as a constant squad man since the turn of the century.

But with Davie Weir nearing the end of his career the time must be right for Russell to stake a serious claim at the heart of Burley's defence and add to his 10 caps.

He shrugged: "I still like to think I can establish myself.

"But after what I've been through I know you can't take anything for granted.

"Big Davie may not have many years left but as well as Stephen McManus you have Gary Caldwell who's doing well.

"And when Andy Webster gets back playing for Rangers he'll be knocking on the door again. But I always enjoy being in the squad and it's down to the manager after that.

"It's good George is keeping the nucleus of the squad together from the last campaign. You don't fix what's not broken and if you change too much too quickly the wheels can come off in a hurry.

"It sounds strange but there's no need to change something that almost worked. In most other groups what we did would have been enough to qualify."