It closed with a whimper rather than a slam but Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes can be pleased with his summer shopping spree at Pittodrie during the transfer window.
McInnes prides himself on ensuring his squad is better than it was the season before and on the evidence of the start his side has made and a quick look through the personnel there can be little doubt he has a strong group of players for this campaign.
Other than the retiring Russell Anderson, the players who moved on from Pittodrie had been members of the first team squad but none could be hailed as integral to the starting 11.
The end of Jamie Langfield’s decade of service to the club has come as little surprise with the goalkeeper finding himself cast in the role of third choice at Pittodrie and in the veteran stages of his career.
His move to St Mirren was a logical one and a transfer which suited all parties. It allowed the Saints to add some experience in goal and have a goalkeeper coach too for good measure while offering Langfield the chance to play regular football again.
For McInnes it solved the problem of one cook too many in his goalkeeping broth.
The fact there was no deadline deal at Pittodrie is not an issue which should concern any Dons supporter. It merely emphasises the manager’s faith in his players.
The last new face to arrive was 20 year old right back Ryan McLaughlin from Liverpool on loan on Saturday morning.
His surprise move to the Dons had more than a few members of the Red Army fearing the worst, convincing themselves the Northern Ireland under-21 international’s move to Aberdeen meant Shay Logan was set for a deadline day move back to England.
The Englishman’s family circumstances have been well documented with his children based in the north-west of England and he spends whatever time off he has down south.
Had he expressed a desire to return to England to be closer to his family it would have been understandable but his relationship with McInnes has afforded him flexibility to manage family life with his football career and his performances on the pitch have not suffered.
The window closed at midnight with Logan still at Pittodrie and the Dons now boasting a defensive reinforcement on the right hand side.
With Paul Quinn and the currently injured Mark Reynolds providing central defensive options and Andy Considine’s versatility at either centre-half or left back McInnes has strength in depth across his back four.
The same can be said in midfield and in attack, as was displayed at Firhill on Saturday.
David Goodwillie started the game up front. In the second half Adam Rooney joined him in a two-prong attack. By the end of the game it was Niall McGinn and another new arrival, Josh Parker, breaking forward looking for a third goal.
McInnes has no shortage of options as his side settle down and focus on football between now and the window opening in January.
Whether there is further transfer activity in the New Year will depend on how his trusted lieutenants perform between now and the window opening. But for now, the window may be closed but the view is a pleasant one down at Pittodrie.