Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood has said striker Darren Mackie’s penalty shoot-out miss against Queen’s Park in the CIS Insurance Cup caused his current lean period in front of goal.
Since that match on August 22, which Third Division amateurs Queen’s Park won thanks to the lottery of spot-kicks, Mackie has failed to score. His only goals so far this season were at Motherwell on August 12, when he picked-up a brace.
However, Calderwood still has faith in his striker and is sure that when Mackie finds the net, he’ll keep scoring and scoring.
Calderwood told the Daily Record: ‘Darren is Aberdeen through and through and it affected him after he missed the penalty which cost us against Queen’s Park.
‘That result hurt us all but he was the one who missed it and this has taken a toll because he’s so wrapped up in this club and his mates have probably been on about it as well.
‘That stuck in his mind for a couple of weeks and he’s been dying to score to get it off his back. But the longer he’s gone without a goal the worse it’s become for the lad.’
Calderwood added that another factor was trying to forge a partnership with Lee Miller, who joined from Dundee United during the transfer window and has yet to score for the Dons.
Miller and Mackie will have the chance to rediscover their scoring boots against the Arabs at Pittodrie on Saturday (Oct 21).
The Dons should also be boosted by the return of skipper Russell Anderson, who is set to return from a hip injury.
