Friday 15 May 2015 09:56, UK
Retiring Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson has set his sights on one final appearance at Pittodrie to round off his playing career.
Anderson, who has been been out of action for the last eight months, made the decision to retire last week and has been given a new role at the club as a Business Development Executive.
Despite not playing since limping off against St Johnstone in August due to problems with his knee, the 36-year-old is hopeful he can make one final appearance in front of his home crowd for the club he has supported since childhood.
He said: “The manager convinced me to try and get fit and play some part towards the end of the season. I’m glad he did actually because I’m fit now and hoping to get some playing time.
There will be mixed emotions definitely. To finish at home on the last day of the season will be nice but who knows how I will react on the day.
“He has said I will get a run out between now and the end of the season. Whatever form that may take, I don’t know. I’ll find out probably the day before the game when he names the team. I’d like to think I’ll get a run out.
“There will be mixed emotions definitely. To finish at home on the last day of the season will be nice. Who knows how I will react on the day. It would be nice to finish off with a win and to be part of that one more time. It would be a nice way to bring the curtain down.”
As a life-long Aberdeen supporter, Anderson says it was an extremely difficult decision to make but says announcing his retirement took a big weight off his shoulders.
"The last week or so since I’ve announced it has been a bit of a relief because it’s something I have known I was going to do for a couple of months now," he added. "I’m actually glad in a way I’ve made a decision myself because who knows, the manager might not have offered me a new contract anyway.”
The former Scotland international has hit back at claims he chose a business role at Aberdeen because he doesn’t have what it takes to take the step into management.
'Management'
He said: “I was asked if I wasn’t a driven enough person to become a football manager but I think whatever you do in life you have to want to succeed and have that drive, so I don’t think that can be levelled at me.
“It’s just something that I’ve always felt I would much rather go down that route than football management. I’m glad I'm staying part of the club but obviously in a different role.”
Anderson will be ending his second spell at Pittodrie when he hangs up his boots, having played over 300 times for the club during a promising career that has been constantly blighted with injury.
He lived out a childhood dream when he captained Aberdeen to their first major trophy in 19 years. They triumphed over Inverness CT in last year's League Cup final under new manager Derek McInnes and he believes the current backroom team can continue to help Aberdeen make positive strides forward.
“The manager keeps reminding us that he’s never happy," he added. "He's always wanting to improve and strive for that improvement and next season won’t be any different.
“We are going to be involved in Europe again, which is important for Aberdeen to be involved regularly in European competitions. I think the supporters really enjoyed that brief journey into Europe last season I think we equipped ourselves really well.
It is important for Aberdeen to be involved regularly in European competitions.... and I think we equipped ourselves really well in Europe last season.
“We'd like to get as far as we can in Europe. That obviously depends on the draw, a little bit of luck and you need to play well. But you’d like to think the players learned from this year and that will stand them in good stead for next season.
“On a different note, domestically we have to try and improve on this season, and last season. That will be difficult because they have been really good. So it will be something that the manager will be keen to do even though it will be difficult.“
One of the major responsibilities Anderson will have in his new role will be to contribute to some long-term projects, including the development of a new training ground.
He admits that is exactly the type of venture the club needs to take them to the next level, adding: “It’s essential a club of Aberdeen’s size and stature can have its own training ground.
“When it comes to recruiting new players and trying to entice them to come to the club then it will certainly help the manager and help the development of the academy as well.
"Right now we probably spend as much time travelling to pitches as we do training. It’s been a long time coming, there’s a lot of work to do, were at the beginning of the whole journey but it's certainly something we need.“
