Jim Goodwin has wasted little time in showing he is not afraid to make big decisions at Aberdeen – and Andy Considine’s impending departure is the latest headline move.
The Dons boss was appointed on February 19, but he has not been shy in letting everyone know he is in charge.
Player-coach Scott Brown, goalkeeper coach Gordon Marshall and head of sport science Adam Stokes have all left the club, while Dylan McGeouch and Funso Ojo are heading for the Pittodrie exit door at the end of the season.
But the withdrawal of a contract offer to stalwart Andy Considine is by some distance the biggest call made yet by the new manager.
Considine is the modern-day Mr Aberdeen.
A loyal servant who has risen to the task of holding off competition from all and sundry for the better part of 18 years to amass an incredible 562 appearances for his club.
From the lows of fighting relegation to the highs of reaching the last-32 of the UEFA Cup under Jimmy Calderwood and winning the League Cup with Derek McInnes in 2014, Considine has seen it all with the Dons.
International recognition – and with it a place in the hearts of Scottish supporters everywhere as the man who helped launch ‘Yes Sir I Can Boogie’ as the unofficial national anthem of the Tartan Army – followed.
As a result, Considine is a man who has built and maintained an incredible level of respect from players, media and supporters alike.
Fans split on decision to withdraw contract offer
The decision to withdraw the contract offer is the manager’s prerogative, but the circumstances surrounding the move are puzzling.
Press and Journal columnist Richard Gordon wrote in his column at the weekend the length of the deal on offer had been a stumbling block.
It is clear something has gone badly wrong before the manager’s stance has moved from expressing his admiration for the player, stressing how much he is looking forward to working with Considine and stating it was just a matter of crossing t’s and dotting i’s, before withdrawing the offer.
Reaction has, predictably, been mixed. Some are up in arms, while others have welcomed the move believing a changing of the guard at Pittodrie is long overdue.
As a PR move, it’s a bold tactic and one which will define Goodwin’s early tenure at the club.
Few would have grumbled if the veteran, having fought back from a serious knee injury, was given another year on the same terms.
Withdrawing the contract offer is the riskier proposition as the disgruntled figures among the Red Army will question the decision if there is no improvement in Aberdeen’s defensive displays next season.
Considine will not be short of offers
Where Russell Anderson was given the big farewell and a position as a business executive at the club and Barry Robson joined the coaching staff after hanging up their boots, it seems next month will signal the end of Considine’s Dons career.
However, do not be surprised to see him playing on.
It’s no stretch to expect Derek McInnes make a bid to bring Considine to Rugby Park to help Kilmarnock on their Premiership return or Paul Hartley offer the chance of a move to Cove Rangers for their first campaign in the Championship next season.
With Ash Taylor at Killie and both Shay Logan and Mark Reynolds at Cove, Considine would be among friends if he joined one of those clubs.
Whatever the future holds for Considine, this much is clear – the departure of the man who is fourth on the club’s all-time appearance list is certainly a sign the times are changing at Pittodrie.
The new manager, whether you agree with his decisions or not, has already shown he is not afraid to make them.
