Foster regards it as duty to clamp this dangerous Driver

By Michael Gannon

Published: 27/12/2008

Aberdeen’s Richard Foster believes he is more than just a man-marker – but he would still love the chance to put the shackles on dangerous Hearts wide player Andrew Driver.

Foster has been stranded on the Dons bench in recent weeks but could be given a starting role at Pittodrie today to combat the in-form 21-year-old, who has been impressing the England under-21 coaches.

Foster has operated as a man-marker in several key matches this season, including the 1-0 victory at Falkirk and the 1-1 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle, where he was left to patrol Jambos playmaker Bruno Aguiar.

He could be set for a similar role today but he insisted there is much more to his game than babysitting the dangermen.

He said: “If I am up against Driver then I will do my best. He is a good player, he is very quick. I am used to dealing with players who have pace and I relish those games. I like to race people and see just how quick they are.

I do not think Driver relies too much on his pace. He is very tricky, but it would be a cracking contest if I was up against him. A lot has been said about me being a man marker but it is not that difficult a job following someone about for 90 minutes.

“I find it quite easy to track someone but it takes away from getting on the ball. I was playing that role against Scott Arfield at Falkirk and I came off thinking that I had not really done much but the manager said I had a great game. I think there are other attributes to my game. I think I can offer something going forward.

“The team have been winning so you cannot go and demand that you get back in.

“I am happy as long as we are winning. I have to be patient and wait for my chance.”

While Foster wants a starting role against Hearts, he is hoping the Dons can claim their first top six scalp of the season and open up the race for Europe going into the new year.

He added: “We have not defeated any top six sides this season and that is what has been missing.

“In the past we have always done well against the sides in the top six, we had a good run after the split last season.

“No disrespect to the other teams, but these are the games you relish.

“This is an important game because it can give us a launch pad into January, when we have a lot of big games.”

Taken from The Press and Journal