Boris who? Puzzle as Chikhura take inverted approach

Nestled in the very farthest corner of the one small area of northeast Scotland which resisted the blue tide in the 2017 Westminster election, it is very unlikely that Aberdeen’s new stadium will be named after anyone called Boris. So in that respect, the Dons’ trip to the Boris Paichadze Arena was a

once- in-a-lifetime experience. That the match was played in front of mostly empty seats because the stadium was too far from the home team’s city and too awkward for spectators to get to, perhaps less so. Though, granted, the 350km round trip between Sachkhere and Tbilisi is considerably more inconvenient than the seven miles from Pittodrie to Kingsford.

That lengthy journey might help to explain why Chikhura appeared to approach this match more in the style of an away side than a home one. Content to allow Aberdeen plenty of possession and territory, they did not seem like a team looking to accumulate a lead in the tie.

But just as the Dons, reading the situation, were beginning to profit, they were knocked out of their own stride by the loss of Ash Taylor.

Though forced to replace a defender with a midfielder the team as a whole took on a much less attacking shape and this was down to the forced redeployment of the man who has been the most constant offensive threat of the campaign, Jon Gallagher.

Versatility has its place, but also its price.

The latter was shown in allowing Chikhura – albeit with a dreadful penalty call – to take the upper hand. The former in the second-half rejig which energised the Dons and, via said upper hand, gave them back control of the game.

Overall, the Reds will not be unduly concerned by first impressions in the Boris Arena. Though they have yet to lead, they should ultimately command a working majority when the opportunity comes around.