TEARS OF A LEGEND
Dons stalwart Considine bows out after 18 years
A FRUSTRATING season ended in disappointing fashion for underachieving Aberdeen – but the biggest outpouring of sadness came from Dons legend Andy Considine who was making his final appearance after 18 years at his hometown club.
The defender’s farewell outing was his 571st during a career-long stint which ended on a sour note when negotiations over a new deal collapsed.
He was re-introduced to the side after a horrendous season, most of which he spent laid up with a cruciate ligament injury, and was visibly emotional when he was replaced four minutes into the second half by Declan Gallagher.
He left the pitch to tumultuous applause from the home fans, and the loyal home support put their hands together again at the end of a compelling game, despite their disappointment over a season in which they fell to their lowest league finish in 18 years.
Boss Jim Goodwin also showed his appreciation for the departing Considine after the final whistle. He said: “Andy’s been a great servant to this club and it was always on my mind to let him have the arm band and lead the team out.
“He leaves here with our best wishes and I’m sure that he will get fixed up in the summer.”
The Dons flops, in 10th spot behind Saturday’s rivals St Mirren, had battled hard for a win but were unfortunate enough to come up against a determined and impressive Paisley outfit and a keeper, Jak Alnwick, at the top of his game.
Just on half-time, the Pittodrie men believed they had a penalty kick when it was thought Scott Tanser handled in the area.
Ref Don Robertson pointed to the spot but was persuaded by assistant Sean Carr that the ball had hit the Saints defender’s head and not his hand.
Goodwin saw it differently. He said: “If the linesman on the near side had over-ruled the referee for a push in the back I could maybe accept that.
“But he said the ball hit off the back of Scott Tanser’s head as opposed to his arm which is just baffling. So we should be a couple of goals up then Alnwick makes a lot of good saves. We were in complete control throughout the game.
“I sound like a broken record as I’ve talked about having plenty of the ball but not having the composure to finish it off.”
Goodwin, who left St Mirren for Pittodrie in February, insisted it was “really strange” to be facing them but was pleased the Paisley supporters gave him “a nice hello” as he walked the perimeter of the stadium before the game.
He said: “Some of them were disappointed with the way we left but I loved my time at St Mirren and everybody knows that.
“I had five-and-a-half years there as a player captaining the League Cup winning team, which was one of the highlights of my career.
“But the chance to come to a club of this size was far too big to turn down.”
Goodwin’s former side also had their moments in front of goal and were quick with their passing movements as they tried to feed front man Alex Greive.
But it was defender Connr McCarthy who came close early on with a header from a set-piece as Dons keeper Joe Lewis saved.
However, with the Dons’ Lewis Ferguson having twice come close, the visitors were again exposed, only for Alnwick to produce a stunning save low at his left-hand post from Connor Barron.
The penalty incident then left Aberdeen feeling hard done by but they kept pressing for a winner.
Alnwick had other ideas as he produced two stops in quick succession from sub Liam Harvey, then from Gallagher.