about other clubs continuing to take an interest in Russell Anderson and claims the situation is "part and parcel of football". With the January transfer window now open, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and Middlesbrough assistant boss Malcolm Crosbie took in Tuesday's goalless draw between the Dons and Hibernian. Scouts from Everton and Barnsley were also in attendance at the game, where Easter Road contract rebels Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson both played for the full 90 minutes. However, Calderwood does not mind if speculation continues to rumble on about whether Aberdeen will receive a bid for Anderson this month, because he believes it will have no affect on the performances of the Scotland defender. He said: "It doesn't bother me if it keeps being mentioned that other clubs are interested in Russell, because I am sure that people we will say that we are in interested in players at this time of year as well. "It is part and parcel of football and that kind of talk will certainly not affect Russell in any way." Anderson missed Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Dundee United with flu, but returned to the Dons' line-up at Easter Road and produced a typically robust performance. After the match, Hibs manager John Collins revealed he shared Rangers boss Paul Le Guen's view that the captaincy of a football club in Scotland is held in far higher regard than in other countries. Collins was speaking following his decision take the armband off Thomson and hand it to Rob Jones, while Le Guen stripped Barry Ferguson of the captaincy at Ibrox this week, believing the midfielder attributed too much importance to his leadership role. But Calderwood believes it is crucial to have a strong captain at the helm and he is delighted to have Anderson in that position at Pittodrie. He said: "For me, the role of captain is very important and when you look at successful clubs they always have great skippers. "Russell is a brilliant leader on the park for us and I would love it for him if we could go on and win a trophy." Calderwood also confirmed that defender Richie Byrne should return to action "in three or four weeks" after responding well to treatment on his injured hamstring.
