Calderwood expects reaction as Dons play Celtic again

Published on Tuesday 21 April 2009 10:21

ABERDEEN manager Jimmy Calderwood has welcomed the opportunity to make amends quickly for his team's disappointing defeat to Celtic at the weekend.

The Scottish champions triumphed 2-0 thanks to goals from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald in a one-sided contest at Parkhead on Saturday. However, both teams meet again immediately after the SPL split and Calderwood has promised a vastly improved performance from his players when Celtic travel to Pittodrie.

"It was always going to be very exciting," he said of the post-split fixtures. "Now we've got a chance to show Celtic what we are really worth in two weeks' time because that game (on Saturday) wasn't good.

"It could be a good thing for us but we will just have to wait and see.

"We would expect a reaction against Celtic."

Calderwood has also refused to give up hope of securing the coveted third spot behind the Old Firm, which is currently occupied by Hearts.

"We've got three games at home after the split and we expected that," he said.

"If we want any chance of finishing third, we've got to win four out of the five games.