This must be regarded as one of the strangest build ups to a match that Aberdeen have ever faced as they, like the rest of Scottish Football, wonder if their opponents will still be a going concern by 3pm this Saturday. After their meteoric rise through the ranks Gretna are now facing the real prospect of going out of business after calling in the administrators earlier this week. Aberdeen themselves can only prepare as normal and hopefully come three o'clock on Saturday afternoon the crowd will be able to witness an exciting SPL contest.

It is certainly doom and gloom around Gretna but it has been a happier week around Pittodrie despite the gut wrenching disappointment of losing that late goal to Celtic last weekend. The injury situation is starting to clear with no fresh doubts to report and the news that Lovell, Mackie and McNamara look set to return while Nicholson returns from suspension. It gives the manager a selection headache, but one he won't be too concerned about. Calderwood also revealed that both Jamie Smith and Richie Byrne will go into hospital to try and identify the scale of the problem they have suffered this season.

Calderwood had sympathy for his opponents when he spoke with RedTV at lunchtime. "It's a difficult situation and you have to feel for your fellow professionals. It's very sad. From our point of view we have to be professional and prepare. They will be galvanised by this and they have something to prove to the whole of Scottish Football"

Alan Maybury
Redquote: " A lot of the fans think all players earn £20,000 a week and they will be alright. But you are talking about families and office staff it is not a good situation. Everyone just hopes it gets sorted out really quickly. We have to be professional though as we need the three points. We will have no sympathy on Saturday but as I say I have a family of my own so you see things differently but we need a few wins in the next couple of weeks to give ourselves some sort of chance to get into the top six. " Alan Maybury

Continuing his look forward to the weekend action Jimmy added, "After the excitement of last weekends cup tie it is back to league business and, with four games before the split, our target has to be twelve points to ensure we get into the top six first and foremost. We face a Gretna side this week that has suffered a very turbulent time recently and their problems have certainly been to the detriment of the game here in Scotland as they have brought a freshness and excitement with their meteoric rise through the leagues.

"However, while the Raydale Park side deserve our sympathy for what they are going through at present, those feelings will not be extended on to the pitch this weekend. As I have already indicated, this is an absolutely vital match for us and one we have to win. Our league form this season has been patchy to say the least and if ever there was an ideal time to embark on a decent run, then it is now."

Scott Severin
Redquote: " It's been a very hard time for all the people at Gretna over the last few weeks and it's very disappointing to see any club in the situation that they're in. They've stormed through the leagues over the last three or four years, they deserve to be in the Premier League on merit, but it's all gone a little bit pear shaped for them at the moment, on and off the field. I'm sure that everybody there will want to try and have a strong end to the season, to prove a point, so I'm sure they will be tough opponents. But we've got three games out of the last four at home now and we have to make those count if we're going to get in the top six." Scott Severin

Subscribers to RedTV can hear more from Jimmy Calderwood as he speaks at today's press conference about the weekend ahead and also talks about his recent spying missions down south. There is also an interview with on loan signing Josh Walker as he speculates about what might happen next season.

Fans are reminded that this game has a traditional 3pm kick off this Saturday afternoon and limited cash gates will be in operation. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office at Pittodrie Stadium prior to the match.

For further information please contact the ticket office on 087 1983 1903

The award winning RedMatchday Magazine will be on sale around Pittodrie and this weeks featured player is Alan Maybury. The programme is still only £2.50 and is available around the ground.

If you can't make it to this weekend's match, remember you can listen to the action via RedTV. Dave MacDermid and the team will be on hand to keep you up to date with all the action from 2:45pm for the pre match build up. Remember to return to RedTV next week to catch the highlights!

Match Official: Stuart Dougal