Jamie's on hold for new contract

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Dec 2, 2007 | by IAN BROADLEY

JAMIE LANGFIELD couldn't discuss a new deal with Aberdeen because his agent was too busy arranging Alex McLeish's move to Birmingham.

The keeper, one of 10 Dons players out of contract this season, insisted the current squad must be kept intact to campaign in Europe on a consistent basis.

But the Scotland back-up stopper admitted that defeat today against Hibs could wreck their hopes of a UEFA Cup place next season.

Langfield said: "I still haven't spoken to my agent - I tried to get him the other day only to be told he was away on business.

"Then I picked up a newspaper and there was a picture of him in it, standing next to Big Alex down at Birmingham City when he was signing there.

"It's been a busy time for him getting that sorted out. Hopefully I will be able to get a word with him next week to discuss Aberdeen's offer."

Although the Dons lost to Atletico Madrid to leave their qualifying bid out of their hands, Langfield is confident their gritty performance in the Vicente Calderon Stadium will kick-start their stuttering season.

He said: "That was more like the real Aberdeen and the trick now is to take that form back into the league against Hibs.

"We went to Spain and made the point that we are good enough to compete at that level.

Now these standards must be upheld.

"We cannot afford to fall 11 points behind Hibs. These are the games we have to win.

"It's great travelling to places like Athens and Madrid for big games but the only way to guarantee that regularly is to take care of business in the SPL.

"That means making the top three again. And that will only happen by beating a Hibs side with their own European agenda."