Calderwood slams Miller over Egypt yellow cards

JIMMY Calderwood insists a more disciplined approach from his players in general and Lee Miller in particular, will be vital if Aberdeen are to make an impact in Europe this season.

The Pittodrie club's manager has been worried by the number of silly yellow cards his team have picked up during their two defeats in the Alexandria Tournament.

Of course it means little in the context of their trip to Egypt but Calderwood's concern is the team's impending return to continental competition this season.

A repeat in the UEFA Cup could prove costly in football and financial terms for a club that desperately want to reach the competition's lucrative group stages.

Miller was singled out for criticism as two bookings in two games mean he is forced to sit out tonight's final group game against host side Itthad.

In fact Calderwood considers the former Dundee United player fortunate to have got off so lightly as he should have been serving a one-match ban in the SPL opener at Tannadice instead.

He said: "Miller should have been sent off for his challenge and stupidity in the first game.

"If that had happened he would have missed the first league match against Dundee United and he knows how hard it is to get into the team. That could have had a negative impact on his whole season.

"Then he has gone and got a second booking in the second game which means he's suspended for the last group match.

"Luckily it's not so vital because we can't qualify for the final now but if he does that in Europe it could lose you the game and cost the club a fortune."

Calderwood has been pleased with the football side of the trip despite successive defeats ending any hope of winning the competition.

However the Aberdeen manager has apologised to his players for taking them on the 12-day trip to Egypt in the first place.

The team are stuck in a hotel on the edge of the city with nothing to do once training and matches are over. Calderwood takes full responsibility for boring his players and said: "I have apologised to them for choosing to bring them here.

"The hotel is great and food is good but there's not the facilities to keep them occupied away from training and the games.

You like to have a bit of fun after the work is done but there's not been a lot they can do out here."

Meanwhile Jamie Smith and Michael Hart escaped serious injury following a car crash in Alexandria on Saturday. The car the pair were travelling in on return from a shopping expedition was hit by a minibus after the driver of the car attempted a U-turn across five lanes of traffic.

Hart was unhurt while Smith suffered a blow to the head as the impact threw him against the window. Club doctor Derek Gray checked out the pair and gave them the all clear to resume training.