CONSIDINE IN THE ZONE AT McDIARMID
ANDY CONSIDINE admits he has stepped out of his comfort zone after penning a two-year deal with St Johnstone.
The defender brought an 18-year Aberdeen career to an end last month after making 571 appearances – a tally which sees him sit fourth in the Dons’ all-time table.
Considine, 35, had been offered a new one-year contract in the north east but that was taken off the table after he turned down the terms, leading to a messy exit from the club where he broke through aged just 17 in 2004.
Now Considine is set to steer the Saints backline after manager Callum Davidson convinced him to sign amid interest from England and Australia.
He was unveiled at McDiarmid Park last night alongside Drey Wright who has returned after two years at Hibs.
Considine said: “I’d been at one club for 18 years so coming here will get me outside my comfort zone.
“It’s a new challenge with a new group of boys which I’m relishing. I’m really looking forward to getting started and meeting the fans.”
Considine’s season was wrecked by a knee injury sustained in the Europa League last August. But the Scotland cap returned to the Pittodrie squad shortly after Jim Goodwin took over in February.
Goodwin was keen to keep the experienced stopper in his ranks but after a new deal was knocked back – with Considine understood to be looking for a two-year extension – the Dons released a statement in which Goodwin angrily shot down suggestions of a “derisory offer”. Now Considine’s arrival at McDiarmid Park raises further doubts over Jamie McCart’s Saints future.
The 24-year-old is out of contract and has yet to agree a new deal which is on the table.
But one player who is delighted to be back is Wright, who penned a twoyear contract after his Easter Road release.
The midfielder, 27, returns to Perth where he made 36 appearances over a two-year period.
Englishman Wright said: “It has been a long time coming, I was close to rejoining a couple of times. I am happy it is all sorted and I am looking forward to the next couple of years.
“Once I knew what my position was at Hibs the manager got in touch with me.
“I have known Callum Davidson for a number of years now. In previous windows when it has looked like I could be on the move, he was always in contact.
“It was quite a straightforward one to get sorted.
“I look back at my time here fondly. It was an enjoyable two years but it was cut short with my injury and then Covid.
“I want to play regular football, I haven’t done that for a long time. I know a lot of the staff here so it should be easy enough to settle back in.”