Jordan seeks the freedom to move with Crabbe cash

RAY HEPBURN,IAN PAUL

28 Nov 1992

A ROW was brewing between Hearts manager Joe Jordan and his chairman Wallace Mercer last night, hours ahead of the Edinburgh club's vital match in Aberdeen today.

Before leaving for their overnight base, Jordan wanted to know through reporters if his chairman was making available cash he recently raised in the transfer market, for his own reinvestment.

Scott Crabbe recently moved from Tynecastle to Dundee United for £220,000 with United winger Allan Preston going back to his home town, but Jordan is unsure where the finance he raised lies.

"Scott was a very popular player with the Hearts supporters, and I took the flack when he moved to Tannadice.

The deal was done on the basis that the money would be available," said Jordan.

"I would never have contemplated the transfer otherwise, for we could have used him in recent European matches and a string of crucial domestic games that we have faced.

"I had no particular player in mind, but it would have been nice to have had the comfort of being able to move, should an opportunity arise."

Mercer arrived in Aberdeen ahead of the manager and his players, and speedily tried to defuse the row.

"Of course, the money will be made available to him," he insisted.

This is the latest in a number of frosty exchanges between two men whose relationship has been fragile since Jordan moved from Bristol Rovers.

The rift is like to remain until the manager sees the cash for himself.

Jordan was able to take defender Peter van de Ven north yesterday after the Dutchman improved rapidly from a groin injury, and Gary Mackay is back again after two weeks' absence with a fractured cheekbone.

Meanwhile, if Aberdeen forward Scott Booth meets the target set him by his manager the chances are he and his mates will be well placed in the league race by the time spring comes around, writes Ian Paul.

Willie Miller, whose own standards as a player were high enough, has decided that 20 goals in the next 21 games is what is expected of the Scotland Under 21 captain.

He might be well advised to get started this afternoon in the most intriguing contest of the premier division.

Booth has started only two games this season and played in five all together, during which he has scored three times, but Miller says that he is now approaching full fitness.

"He has been pushing to get himself back after all his injury problems but he has had to be advised about what is best for him.

He is a very important member of the squad and I would like to see 2O goals in 21 games from him."

Aberdeen begin a three-week period when they meet their title rivals with Miller confident his side is equipped for the task.

"Considering all the changes which have had to be made we have done well to reach second place.

But Hearts have done well, too.

They were the main challengers last season."

Miller stands by the same squad which demolished Partick Thistle 7-0 in midweek.

Dundee United's international midfield man Jim McInally, who looked a non-starter against Airdrie because of injury, now has a slight chance of recovering from injury in time.

Gary Bollan is suspended.

Falkirk, who put up a fighting display against Celtic last week, are the latest to try to get a goal past St Johnstone keeper Andy Rhodes who has kept a clean sheet for the past four games.

Falkirk may field former St Mirren full back Fraser Wishart, signed last night on a two-month contract.

Taken from the Herald