Considine vows exit from Pittodrie not the end of playing career

He captained the team on his final appearance for Aberdeen yesterday – but Andy Considine insists his career will continue after Pittodrie.

Considine will depart after talks over a new deal broke down and the club withdrew the offer of a oneyear extension.

As a result, the 35-yearold’s first-team tenure will end – with his final match for the Dons coming 18 years to the day after he made his debut against Dundee.

The defender took centre stage for his Dons farewell in the 0-0 stalemate with St Mirren, and rightly so.

While sad to be leaving the club he and his father Doug served as players, the veteran is hopeful his career can be extended for a few more years.

He said: “I know my time at Aberdeen is coming to an end, but there is so much life left in me yet.

“I’d like to go and play for another two or three years.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey, I’m sad to see it end, but that’s football. It happens and I’m excited to see what happens next.”

Considine reflected on his career at length in an interview with the club website and he regards making his Scotland debut in October 2020 as the peak of his long career.

The defender was moved to tears as he reflected on the game two years ago.

He told Red TV: “I feel like greeting now, but I was beside myself.

“As a kid, to play for your hometown team then play for your country – it was incredible.

“I had played with and against a few of the boys there, which broke the ice instantly.

“I phoned my wife and told her Scott Mctominay had sat down next to me.

“He plays for Manchester United – I watch these guys on Match of The Day.

“I was 33. To be sitting next to these boys was beyond my wildest dreams.

“There were so many players, great players, and to be able to train with them, the standard was nothing I’d been used to.

“I did score a cracking goal which won us the 4 v 4 though.

“Big Deccy (Gallagher) said one of the centrehalves was struggling and there was every chance I might get a game, but, until you hear from the horse’s mouth, you’re never sure.

“The morning of the game we were working through set plays when Steve Clarke had a meeting on the pitch.

“He named the team and when my name was mentioned I zoned out and didn’t hear the rest of the team.

“I phoned (my wife) Madeleine, my mum and dad. I always sleep before a night game and, to be honest, yes I was nervous, but the warm-up was fine.

“It was during the walkout and singing the anthem when it really hit me I was representing my country.

“It was an important fixture, a Nations League game, and to get a clean sheet and a win, I couldn’t wish for my first two games to have gone better.”

Andy Considine applauds the fans at full-time.