One of the longest seasons any of us has known finally drew to a conclusion this week.
It did so in typically controversial manner, as Steve Clarke’s new improved national team shrugged off the shambolic on-off nature of the night to put in an outstanding performance and rack up a fourth successive qualifying victory.
It was a pleasure to witness first-hand the self-belief and confidence which now surges through the players every time they pull on their Scotland tops, and there is good reason to believe we are on the threshold of something special.
The build-up was like nothing I have ever experienced.
Having spent an hour and three quarters setting the scene on Radio Scotland, I handed over to the commentary team ready to settle back and enjoy the game.
Little did I know that less than ten minutes later I would be picking up the microphone again, and would not put it down again for another 98 minutes!
On a number of occasions, it seemed certain the match would be postponed, and the efforts to clear the pitch of the monsoon which had rendered it unplayable were at times farcical, but all those ill-equipped helpers somehow got the job done, and the Scots made sure their hard work paid dividends.
Callum McGregor had of course given us an early advantage, and it was not always easy to remember that given the bizarre circumstances which followed, but the side put on a professional showing, and from the moment Scott McTominay expertly slid home the second goal, the points looked in the bag.
The penalty Georgia missed at the death put the icing on the cake; Scotland were well worth the 2-0 victory.
The win over Norway three days earlier was one of the most astonishing matches I have covered in my long broadcasting career, and quite possibly the most unexpected victory the national team has achieved during that time.
In the sweltering heat of Oslo, it had been a disappointing showing, and the longer the game went, the less likely we looked to trouble them. For 87n minutes, the Scots simply did not lay a glove on their Norwegian opponents, and after Erling Haaland had netted from a dubious penalty, it seemed more than likely the game would fizzle out.
That was clearly the belief on the home bench, and as Solbakken made a series of late substitutions, including withdrawing their talismanic striker, there was a party atmosphere in the Norway technical area with high-fives all round.
It was at that point Willie Miller leant across to me and pointed out they had clearly lost concentration, and if that transmitted on to the pitch, then Scotland still had a chance.
Within minutes, Willie’s observation proved to be 100 per cent accurate.
A defensive slip allowed Lyndon Dykes to sneak in for the equaliser, and with the home side rattled and still trying to regroup, the Scots produced their best move of the match for Kenny McLean to curl home the winner.
It was the most exciting of climaxes to the game, and after the win over Georgia, qualification now looks likely. Some hard work still lies ahead, but I have faith in this group to see it through.
Plenty to excite the Red Army
With attention focused on the international side, the Dons made two big announcements, both of which sparked high excitement among the support.
First up was the signing of Leighton Clarkson, an outstanding piece of business, and one which makes it clear the club is setting a high bar for the 2023/24 campaign. Of all the successful loan signings from last season, the young midfielder was the one I felt least confident of seeing back at Pittodrie. His capture could be among the most important moves made by Aberdeen in years.
They then completed the transfer of Slovenian striker Ester Sokler, but that news was somewhat overshadowed by the release of the ‘Northern Lights’ away kit.
The record breaking sales figures it has generated seem to suggest I was in the minority in finding it, at best, underwhelming, but perhaps that’s a generational thing.
We will find out for sure if Dave Cormack rocks up wearing one for the first home game of the season!
