Calderwood cool on talk of third

Calderwood reckons his team have left it too late

Manager Jimmy Calderwood was playing down Aberdeen's chances of a Uefa Cup place despite beating Dundee United to reduce the gap on third place.

"We're still outsiders but you never know," he told BBC Sport after the 2-1 win. "Motherwell are favourites now.

"Dundee United are a hard team to beat and it was a fabulous game. Craig Levein threw everything at us and they are a big, physical team.

"But Josh Walker came on and calmed things down with his clever passing."

Aberdeen are just three points behind third-placed Motherwell but Mark McGhee's side have played two games less.

The Lanarkshire side visit Ibrox on Wednesday before Aberdeen travel to Fir Park next weekend.

"I think Motherwell just have to win one of their remaining games and third place is theirs," added Calderwood.

"But we've shown a big improvement since our poor show against Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup.

"We had eight players missing today and, when we've got everybody fit, we are a match for anyone."