The Aberdeen career of a modern-day Dons legend was abruptly ended this week in a manner which was entirely avoidable.
Anyone who read last week’s column will realise the departure of Andrew Considine did not come as a surprise to me, but the way it has been handled did.
The day after the news broke, the club came out all guns blazing, which felt like a bit of an overreaction.
Andrew had initially been offered a contract which, on the face of it, looked attractive, but it was on reduced terms, and – given he was by no means one of the highest earners in the squad – it is understandable he did not immediately accept it.
The counter proposal from his agent was as unacceptable to the club as the initial deal had been to the player, but that should have been the starting point for negotiation, not an end to the talks.
A two-year contract might have swung it; with a young family, a 12-month deal offered him no real security.
On Monday, after a brief conversation, the player was told the offer had been pulled.
Jim Goodwin had previously spoken about Andrew in glowing terms, making it clear he wanted to keep him at the club. It would be interesting to know what changed in the interim.
The manager must be allowed to make what he believes are the correct choices, and he is obviously convinced he has better options in Declan Gallagher, David Bates and, it would appear, Charles Dunne.
At this stage in his Pittodrie managerial career Jim has to be given free rein to shape his squad as he sees fit, and must, as he outlined in the statement, make emotion-free decisions.
But Andy has been written off before, and I have no doubt that back fully-fit – as he is – he would have proved himself. For me, he is the best central defender on the books.
He has just turned 35, but remains in excellent condition. What he lacks in pace, he more than makes up for with experience and positioning, and I am genuinely surprised the Dons are prepared to let him go.
I understand nothing lasts forever, everyone eventually moves on, but the club I have supported for half a century has always prided itself on doing the right thing and treating people properly.
They have in the past seized on the Alfredo di Stefano quote: “Aberdeen have what money can’t buy; a soul, a team spirit built in a family tradition”. I wish that ethos had been applied this week.
If it had to happen, it should have been done in a more compassionate and collaborative manner, with Andrew at the heart of the process. It seems the club was minded to do that until the ‘leak’, but even after that, there was no need to hang the player out to dry. He still deserved a greater degree of respect.
Jim has confirmed he will get the chance to bid a proper farewell to the fans before the end of the season, and the club deserves credit for that.
Andrew will extend his career elsewhere, and having been an outstanding servant to Aberdeen, and I wish him every success in the future.
Fight for the top 6
The Considine affair has been an unwelcome distraction this week as the club gears up for a massive 90 minutes against Ross County.
Their fate is out of their own hands, but the players must make sure they do their bit by picking up three points.
County are, of course, in the same position and, such has been their run of form, Malky Mackay’s men will make the trip down the A96 in a confident frame of mind.
Both clubs are relying on Hearts to help them out, and you would hope that side of the bargain will be met. Given how they have been performing, it is difficult to see Hibernian winning at Tynecastle, but in this crazy season nothing can be ruled out.
It is embarrassing that the Dons go into matchday 33 still looking for favours to make the top six, but the opportunity remains – it is up to them to take it and put a bit of a shine on what has been a hugely disappointing campaign.
🔴⚽️ Andy Considine’s Aberdeen departure – how did it get so messy?
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