The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
‘If you can’t handle flak, then delete social media apps’ says Dons skipper
Aberdeen captain Anthony Stewart has advised the club’s younger players to delete social media apps.
The 30-year-old believes it can be tough for youngsters to see social media criticism after a defeat or during a poor run of form.
Stewart and Aberdeen’s defence came in for recent criticism for a lack of clean sheets but responded with a shutout to beat Dundee United 1-0.
Skipper Stewart insists he brushes off any online comments, good or bad, and focuses fully on leading the Reds to success.
However, the centre-back accepts social media can be “tough” viewing for some players when things are not going well.
He fears online criticism can have an impact if you are “not mentally prepared for it”.
Which is why Stewart has advised young Dons to ditch social media.
He said: “When I first came to Scotland, I didn’t know much about the expectations of the club.
“I used to look at social media when I joined and read the comments when they were good and when they were bad.
“After a while I said to myself that I wasn’t here to impress anyone else but my team-mates, the gaffer and myself.
“It can be tough to look at social media when things aren’t going well.
“If you aren’t mentally prepared for that scenario it can impact you.
“You might want to reply to things that are said about you but you have to be professional and forget about the comments.
“I try not to get too high or too low, no matter what is happening.”
Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin hailed Stewart and the defence for the shutout in the 1-0 defeat of Dundee United in response to recent criticism.
As club captain, Stewart sees it as his duty to lead both on and off the pitch.
That includes giving advice to the young players at the club.
His advice... delete social media if you can’t handle criticism.
Stewart said: “I have spoken to some of the younger boys in the squad about social media.
“I said to them to delete it if they can’t help themselves from looking at it if we have had a bad performance.
“If you can’t handle it, then delete the app, as it won’t do them any good to dwell on things.
“They should know within themselves if they have performed well or not.
“I don’t need to read things to get validation.
“I still have the app but I can handle it.”
Defender Stewart was signed on a two-year contract in the summer following the expiration of his deal with Wycombe Wanderers.
Within a week of arriving at Pittodrie, Stewart was named as new skipper, replacing Joe Lewis.
Stewart admits being selected as club captain was a surprise – but he was delighted to take on the responsibility. There have been highs, as captain, including leading the Dons to third in the Premiership.
However, there have been lows such as a 4-0 hammering by Premiership bottom club Dundee United.
There has been praise, there has been criticism.
One thing is constant – Stewart’s passion for captaining Aberdeen.
He said: “I am loving being the Aberdeen captain and all the highs and lows that comes with that.
“Leading is something that I have always wanted to do.”