Jeff Lost Out On Winner's Medal

Jan 20 2008 By Gavin Berry

JEFFREY DE VISSCHER is desperate to land a cup winner's medal at Aberdeen after agonisingly missing out on silverware as a kid in Holland.

The 26-year-old midfield ace would have lifted the Dutch Cup with FC Twente alongside Celtic ace Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and ex-Dons star Scott Booth - if he hadn't been so highly rated.

De Visscher was selected to play for Holland in the prestigious Toulon tournament at the same time as his old club's 2001 final against PSV Eindhoven.

Now he's on a mission to make amends as Dons chase a trophy double. First up is thisweek's fourth-round replay against Falkirk in the Scottish Cup followed by the CIS semi with Dundee United. De Visscher said: "There's a real hard luck story about why I didn't get a medal.

"Myself and Thys Houwing were picked by Holland Under-18s to go to Toulon.

"But our Twente gaffer Fred Rutten said only one could go and sent me.

"Twente beat PSV on penalties in what is remembered as one of the greatest ends to a Dutch Cup Final and I missed it.

"It was 0-0 after 120 minutes and we missed the first two penalties, our keeper saved three in a row then their keeper missed one. It was a crazy game.

"We lost in the semis in Toulon and I wish now I'd played in the final to get a medal. I got a loser's medal years later when FC Twente lost to FC Utrecht but I've been told at Aberdeen if we reach Hampden we might take 20,000 fans.

"So if I could do that in my first year - along with playing Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup - it will be a good season."

De Visscher has been plagued by injuries in his debut SPL campaign but admits he feared for his future if Jimmy Calderwood hadn't signed a new deal.

Jeffrey said: "The main news is Jimmy has committed to the club. If a gaffer brings you in then leaves six months later you have to consider your position."

Caldo is gearing up for a hectic spell in four competitions and said: "The fans expect us to get to the CIS Final and the Scottish Cup quarters. It's five wonderful weeks ahead but you're just an own goal away from a kick in the backside."