Seve eyes europe as a new don rising

WHEN Scott Severin ended his eight-year association with Hearts to pursue his career with SPL rivals Aberdeen, eyebrows were raised at the wisdom of such a move.

The decision to swap Tynecastle for Pittodrie last summer prompted people to question the ambition of the combative midfielder.

Having played 173 games for the club he had been an integral part of the team which, under the astute leadership of Craig Levein, proved itself to be the best in Scotland outwith the Old Firm for two successive seasons.

A veteran of a number of European campaigns with the Jambos under first Jim Jefferies and then Levein, the Scotland midfielder now stands just 90 minutes away from booking a return ticket into the UEFA Cup with the Dons.

With his old club toiling in fifth place having seen their own Euro hopes evaporate in the final few weeks of the season, Severin feels more than justified in heading north to help Aberdeen’s resurgence. As he prepares to lock horns with Hearts on Sunday afternoon, the 26-year-old insists he made the right decision in falling prey to Jimmy Calderwood’s persuasive charms.

"I have no regrets about moving to Pittodrie, none at all," said Severin, who admitted his team’s success this term has surpassed all expectations - both in the dug out and in the dressing room.

"I know a few people said I was making a mistake when I signed for Aberdeen but I think the fact that we are still in with a chance of Europe going into the last game of the season has proved them all wrong.

"I have really enjoyed my first season at the club and to be honest I don’t think even the players or the manager thought we would do so well."

Ensuring participation in the UEFA Cup would appear a tall order for Severin & Co. Aberdeen must beat Hearts and hope Rangers defeat third-placed Hibs at Easter Road - with a six-goal swing in goal difference into the bargain.

The conspiracy theorists among the green-and-white half of Edinburgh have been voicing their concerns at the possibility of their arch rivals perhaps not being at their best at Pittodrie, fears which were heightened yesterday when we revealed that stand-in Jambos boss John McGlynn could be without a dozen first-team stars on Sunday through a combination of injury, suspension and international call-ups.

Such suggestions were dismissed by Severin, who knows better than most the will-to-win which McGlynn instils in his teams. The pair spent the best part of a decade together in Gorgie and the midfielder insists there is absolutely no chance of the Jambos "lying down" at Pittodrie.

"When John took training at Tynecastle, whether it was the youths, reserves or first team, he always demanded 100 per cent from every single player," he said. "They may have a few injury problems ahead of the game but whoever plays at the weekend will be told in no uncertain terms what is expected of them.

"I was at Tynecastle on Sunday and a few of the Hearts fans were telling me to make sure Aberdeen won this weekend. But the guys will have their pride to play for, not to mention win bonuses so that’s why it is going to be a very tough match. We can only do our bit and try to get the win we need and then hope for the right result at Easter Road.

"We have been positive all season and I think the boss may be even more attack-minded on Sunday given that we need to score a few goals - having said that it is some time since we actually scored against Hearts.

"If Hearts are forced to field a weakened team we still have to give them respect and we can’t afford to turn up thinking we’re going to win the game."

Severin looked on from afar with some bemusement as the soap opera which surrounded John Robertson’s future as Tynecastle boss unfolded recently. His ultimate sacking paved the way for McGlynn to be handed the reins in tandem with skipper Steven Pressley for the final two games, the pair’s first match at the helm on Sunday seeing Celtic pushed all the way in Gorgie.

Willie Young sent off Pressley for diving in the box in the last minute when most folk inside Tynecastle thought the hosts’ captain had been fouled by matchwinner Craig Beattie.

Added Severin: "It would have suited us had Hearts got a draw as it meant we would have had another championship shoot-out this weekend with both Rangers and Celtic having to go for goals. As it is we are in there with a fighting chance and we’ll be giving it our best shot."

Regardless of the final outcome of the pulsating race for Europe, Severin has his sights set on establishing the Dons as the third force in Scottish football. "The manager is wanting to bring in some new players in the summer and if he gets the players he’s after I’m sure we will be ready to challenge for third place again next season," he said.

Ironically, one of those players is Lee Miller, who has risen to prominence with his goal-scoring exploits for Hearts since his loan move from Bristol City in January. "Lee’s done well since coming back to Scotland and there’s no doubt he’d be a useful addition to most squads in the SPL," said Severin. "He is just one of a number of guys who will pose a threat to us on Sunday.

"Paul Hartley has been in fine form while I have also been impressed with the young left-back Lee Wallace, who hadn’t even joined the club last year."

Taken from the Scotsman