Miller tribute to tragic Dons team mate
Aberdeen legend Willie Miller has paid tribute to former Aberdeen team mate Chic Mclelland who has died at the age of 63 after a long illness.
The pair initially played together at Eastercraigs Boy’s Club with Mcclelland going on to make 212 appearances for the Dons before spells with Motherwell, Dundee and Montrose.
However it was his return to take charge of the Pittodrie club’s youth academy for several years that was an equally important legacy for his old team mate.
Miller said:”chic was here for most of the ’70s and actually played in the same boys club team with me for Eastercraigs as well.
“He was an important player for Aberdeen but also he played a major part in the youth development programme at the club.
“He gave a lot to this club and while it wasn’t unexpected that he passed away as he has been ill for a number of years, it’s too early an age really.”
Miller was at Pittodrie in his role as BBC Scotland pundit and watched his former club mount a come-from-behind win against St Johnstone.
It was a frustrating after noon for the Perth club’s manager Callum Davidson who was yellow- carded by referee Alan Muir just after substitute Callum Hendry was sent off.
But the most frustrating moment for Davidson was the referee’s decision to award Aberdeen their equalising penalty just before the break.
Muir pointed to the spot when Sam Cosgrove went tumbling after a slight touch by Shaun Rooney.
Davidson said:“i’m not sure what it was given for because there was no tug, there was no pull – so it’s a baffling one.”
It’s now just two points from the last seven matches for struggling Saints who will be without Callum Hendry for the vital midweek game against Hamilton.
He’s banned after the substitute received two yellows in nine minutes just days after Michael O’halloran’s similarly foolish dismissal against Rangers.
“I was disappointed with Michael O’halloran last week and I ’m disappointed with Callum today.
“We don’t have the biggest squad so we can’t afford to lose players.”