Chris must weight for chance

May 25 2008 By Gavin Berry

JIMMY CALDERWOOD has told Chris Maguire to bulk-up for next season and reckons the Aberdeen hitkid will then be ready to take the SPL by storm.

The Dons boss believes the 19-year-old striker has bags of ability but wants him to add muscle to his subtle skills.

Caldo said: "Chris has a great touch and brilliant vision and is probably annoyed he doesn't get many games. But I've told him he has to get stronger in the gym and get his fitness levels up. But the one big thing going for him is that he can play.

"The other things are easy to do if you have something between your ears.

"We played Hibs at Easter Road a few weeks ago and Chris was absolutely fabulous against a good team. I expect to see a lot more of him next term."

And Caldo also hopes Maguire's fellow striker Darren Mackie will be fully fit so he can help rescue the Dons' defence.

The Reds gaffer said: "When you look at Darren's all-round game sometimes his touch lets him down. But playing against him it can be a nightmare. Defensively we've been poor this season but when Mackie's playing he's always snapping at people.

"You could see it on Thursday night. He was snapping at Dailly, in at Cuellar and Weir and stole the ball from Whittaker.

"He doesn't give you a minute's rest and we've missed that. We've lost 58 goals this season but it wouldn't have happened if Darren hadn't been out for five months."