With Sports Personality Of The Year taking place in Aberdeen last night, the Dons needed their own heroic figure of 2019 to come to the fore once again.
No one has had a greater impact on the Dons’ fortunes this year, or had a more profound turnaround in his own personal circumstances than Sam Cosgrove.
He took his tally to 19 for the season with the winner against Hamilton Accies and has 31 in the calendar year.
In a brief cameo on BBC’s Football Focus, in which he and Shay Logan showed off the Dons’ new facilities at Cormack Park, Cosgrove joked about someone else chipping in with goals.
The evidence showing how much Aberdeen rely on him is clear. No other Dons player has more than four goals this season – 15 fewer than Cosgrove. Manager Derek McInnes’ desire to have others chip in has so far fallen on deaf ears.
McInnes said: “In my first few years at the club we had loads of games where Adam Rooney finished off a lot of our good work. Trying to replace a boy like that is extremely difficult.
“Our bread-and-butter was 1-0 and Sam has become a bit like that as well. Even when we’re not at our best Sam scores goals and these players are invaluable to teams and managers.
“I’m hoping we don’t lose him. I don’t think it would be in our best interest to lose our top goalscorer in January.
“But I’m not naive enough to think teams aren’t looking at him and at the end of the day money talks. I don’t think midway through the season would be of any benefit to us.
“We’ve been given a bit of encouragement that we’ll be able to do something in January in a couple of positions.
“We’re also aware that we’re a club who develop players, bring them on and eventually sell them on.
“The new chairman, supporters, players and staff alike want to give us the best chance possible so hanging on to your best players for as long as you can is what has to be done here.”
Three changes from the Hibernian defeat was little surprise. What was unexpected was Funso Ojo’s return after three months out with a hamstring injury. McInnes had spoken about not rushing Ojo back into the side and questioned whether he would be ready for 90 minutes or not.
Niall McGinn was another recalled, making his 300th appearance across two spells at Pittodrie.
His contribution is perhaps undervalued at times outwith the club but to McInnes he remains a dependable performer in red.
Hamilton remained compact and forced the Dons wide, reducing their attacking output to crossing in the hope Cosgrove could be found in the box.
Visiting goalkeeper Luke Southwood kept out James Wilson, Ryan Hedges and Logan as the Dons probed, but they were frustrated by a dogged Accies side. Aside from Aaron McGowan’s missed header, which would have given them an undeserved lead, Hamilton’s attacking output was nil.
They slowed the game and allowed the Dons centre-halves – not the greatest on the ball – to take possession.
Ryan Hedges’ free role allowed him to pick up the ball deeper and drive into space but the end product was not forthcoming.
The Dons had geared up in the first half to play into Cosgrove with little success.
However, the patience and persistence paid off eight minutes into the second period.
Wilson, who had shown flashes of quality while operating on the game’s fringes, picked out McGinn on the left flank. Accies thought they had shut off the crossing lane but McGinn was able to check back inside and still deliver a floated ball to the back post, which was not dealt with.
The man they did not want to leave unchecked was Cosgrove, who was able to slot home on the volley. The result was far from convincing and Pittodrie was understandably disgruntled at times.
There were far too many nervy moments against a side flailing at the bottom of the table.
With Celtic at Parkhead to come next weekend, performance levels will have to be substantially raised.
McInnes added: “We had three or four gilt-edged chances in the first half and the keeper has made good saves.
“It’s hard for me to be too critical.
“We’re up against a team that are clearly spirited and giving everything.
“You’ve got to break that resolve and the best way of doing that is by keeping a clean sheet and taking chances.”