ANDY WILL PLAY ON FOR YEARS
McInnes hails ‘loyal’ Don ahead of his 500th game
ANDREW CONSIDINE is set to hit 500 for Aberdeen – but Derek McInnes insists the long-serving defender is already assured of his legendary status.
Considine is expected to chalk up his landmark appearance in Sunday’s game at St Johnstone,
He is sixth in Aberdeen’s all-time appearance list behind Willie Miller, Alex McLeish, Bobby Clark, Stewart McKimmie and Jim Leighton.
But McInnes hopes Considine will have collected more winners’ medals than his solitary League Cup gong before he eventually calls time on his career at Pittodrie.
The Dons boss said: “It’s great the fans recognise this because a lot of the times, these guys don’t get the recognition other than from their manager and their team-mates.
“We’ve had some brilliant players over the years at this club, players who are well decorated, players who have been loyal servants.
“Andy deserves to be in that group of players. I’d want him to have more medals by the time he does hang up his boots.
“His loyalty to the club is unquestionable. His love for the club is brilliant. He’s a fit
BY SCOTT BURNS boy and he quietly gives the rest of his team-mates that confidence through his performances. He’s been a brilliant servant and I don’t see any reason why he can’t keep going for many years to come.”
The 32-year-old – whose dad Doug also played for the Dons – has been a regular under McInnes either at leftback or centre-half and is also a player that can add to Aberdeen going forward.
McInnes added: “He is normally a first pick for me, regardless of who we’re playing, regardless of whether we play in a back three or a back four or whether he is at centre-back or left-back.
“Against Ross County, where they go with a front two and they’ve got a bit of size, he’s an extra head for us there but he still gets up and down the pitch.
“He still gets there and still gets in at the back post. Andy has great feet, he has midfielder’s feet. He’s a good footballer as well as a good defender.
“He’s got better with age. I looked at him when I played against him as St Johnstone manager and I played against him myself when he was a youngster. I probably didn’t appreciate how good he was until I got to work with him.
“Andy’s responded to the standards being raised here and standard of player being raised. His performances week in, week out, season after season, have been of such a high quality.”
I’d want him to have more medals by the time he does hang up his boots
DEREK McINNES ON ANDREW CONSIDINE