CAPS IN HAND
McInnes’ pride in Considine after Dons star shines for Scotland at age of 33
DEREK McINNES admits his only two Scotland caps came with a one-liner and a cheap laugh from Ally McCoist.
But the Aberdeen boss has nothing but respect for Andy Considine’s Indian summer on the international front after two standout displays against Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the space of a week. It’s been more than worth the wait for a 33-year-old whose call from his country came out of the dark blue due to injuries to Leeds stopper Liam Cooper and former Pittodrie team-mate Scott McKenna. It will be a fruitless search to find a better feelgood story to this Scottish football season and McInnes insists Considine’s never-say-never approach is an example to all who all who live in hope. He said: “I always remember Coisty saying I got two caps – my first and my last. I got two and, growing up, you aspire to have the best career you can have so being an international player was important to me. “I treasure that although I would have liked to have been involved more. I got involved in a lot more squads, I just never got on the pitch. “I take huge satisfaction for all the players who get capped here, whether that be Ryan Jack, Ryan Christie or Kenny
McLean. Graeme Shinnie was a massive one for me because I knew how desperate he was to be a Scotland player.
“Andy’s is up there with all of that, probably a bit more, because he’s getting on, he’s experienced and there’s no doubt he probably thought his opportunity had passed.
“Andy would be coming in here during international breaks, working away, knuckling down and always thinking, ‘Why not me?’
“We always hoped there would be a time and he was close when the shutdown happened last season. He was close to being in that March squad, as close as he has been.
“Rather than being down, we’ve always just said to look to the next squad. I don’t think he believed the door was closed because it means so much to him.
“I hear comments from some now saying he should have been in years ago. I never really heard too many people saying that
Coisty always said to me I got two caps .. my first and last. We’re so proud Andy’s also won two DEREK MCINNES ON ALLY MCCOIST’S WIND-UPS
before he got called in. Sometimes worth a bit more against certain you need to get put in that position teams. If we beat them on for the perception to change. Saturday it will mean an awful lot
“So he’s gone from big Andy to them as it will to us.” Considine, a stalwart at Aberdeen, United’s mid-table form since to people saying, ‘Actually, he’s a they returned to the top flight very accomplished defender.’ is another reason why McInnes
“A defender that we see day in, is expecting to get it tough on day out in training. So it’s a good Tayside. story. It’s a great story and He said: “Dundee United have hopefully there is more to come. been very steady on their way
“There’s a great irony there than back after being promoted. it was because Scott McKenna got They have had some good injured he got his chance. Without results and others they will his injury he probably wouldn’t be disappointed with. have been involved.” “They have shown enough
Aberdeen travel to Tannadice they can do well and compete tomorrow aiming to continue an in the Premiership so we have impressive start to a campaign to be wary of that. which has delivered only two “I know Micky Mellon has made Premiership defeats and which a couple of signings to try to has them sitting in fourth spot. bolster the squad but it will be a
It will rekindle a derby fixture tough game for us and we look which has been absent for four forward to the challenge.” years and for McInnes it’s a McInnes also confirmed clash where three points matter midfielder Lewis Ferguson will be that bit more. available as he continues to nurse
He said: “Some of my favourite a thigh problem after starring for memories as Aberdeen manager Scotland Under-21s in their are from going down to Tannadice win over Czech Republic last and winning exciting games. With Friday before sitting out a trip to the fans in that Cowshed filling San Marino. the place and celebrating with He said: “The understanding the players. with the SFA was the more crucial
“We have had some brilliant game was against Czech Republic. victories down there and the fans “Fergie was feeling a lot better look forward to it as much as the on Thursday and passed a fitness players. It is a real shame as it is test on Thursday for that match an integral game in our calendar with the understanding he would and the fans won’t be there. be rested down in preparation for
“We have to recognise how this game. That thigh niggle isn’t much the win would mean to the going to go away if he keeps supporters as some victories are playingpygggame after game.”