Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood is not in the least bit surprised to have seen rapid rise of Falkirk continue this season.Should Falkirk avoid defeat at Pittodrie on Monday night they are guaranteed to qualify for the top six of the Scottish Premier League for the first time.

Falkirk were still playing First Division football in 2005 but have since consolidated their status as a top flight club.

While such a standing is acceptable for Falkirk, Calderwood knows Aberdeen are always expected to finish in the top half.

But Falkirk currently sit a point ahead of the Dons and Calderwood believes the table is evidence of the Bairns' continued improvement.

"Where Falkirk have come from, they have done really well, said Calderwood.

"Aberdeen are expected to be there, but as I have said before normally you only get what you deserve in football.

"You can be a little bit unlucky sometimes, but not throughout a season.

"I think Falkirk have improved every year since they got up and they've had another good season."

Aberdeen are set to welcome back Zander Diamond to their side, now the 23-year-old has recovered from an eye injury.

Dave Bus looks the most likely player to make way from the starting line-up which took part in last weekend's last-gasp 4-3 victory at Inverness.

The Dutchman was substituted at half-time, having endured a tumultuous time in the Highland capital.

Bus scored an own goal and Calderwood thinks that error knocked the on-loan De Graafschap defender out of his stride.

The Aberdeen boss said: "Dave is someone who wants to do so well and he was annoyed at himself.

"It was getting to him and he was diving into things, trying to make a bad mistake right."

But Calderwood insists that performance at the Caledonian Stadium will not be the deciding factor on whether Bus wins an extended contract at Pittodrie.

He added: "We know what Dave is like and that 45 minutes isn't going to decide what is happening."

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