What a difference a week makes once more for Aberdeen.
From the depths of despair following their Scottish Cup exit at Hearts to the sudden and unexpected departure of Danny Ward who was recalled by Liverpool, Blue Monday hit a week early for Dons fans.
But fast forward a week and suddenly the outlook is a little bit more optimistic for the Dandies.
At roughly 12.40pm on Sunday Aberdeen’s season was in danger of unravelling in spectacular fashion with the Dons trailing to Ross County and reduced to 10 men following Mark Reynolds’s dismissal.
With Celtic having won at a canter at Tannadice on Friday and Hearts hitting Motherwell for six on Saturday Derek McInnes must have felt as if the walls were slowly closing in on him.
But from adversity the Dons rallied in remarkable fashion, hitting County with three goals to take control at Victoria Park before digging deep again in the final eight minutes to close out a crucial win after Ian McShane’s second goal of the game had given the Staggies hope of getting an equaliser.
McInnes was all smiles when he visited the press room at Victoria Park at full time and justifiably so – his team’s display in the 65 minutes without Reynolds on the pitch had been outstanding.
But the Dons manager has been in the game long enough to know one result would not make the doubters go away.
Celtic have the chance to move six points clear again tomorrow when they face Hamilton Accies in a rearranged game. With all due respect to Martin Canning’s side, you would have to say Ronny Deila’s team will be heavy favourites to take all three points.
Should that come to pass the same questions the Dons faced yesterday will resurface at Pittodrie on Friday evening when they welcome Dundee for another crucial examination of their credentials.
But Aberdeen find themselves in a situation now where they having nothing to lose. The cup competitions are gone for this season and there is just one prize to aim for and it’s the biggest of the lot.
It may not be mission impossible for the Dons, perhaps more like mission improbable, but with the Hoops fighting for silverware on all fronts maybe the busy schedule will catch up with the Scottish champions come the finish line.
If they do the Dons have to be within touching distance and ready to capitalise on whatever glimmers of hope come their way. The Hoops are unlikely to be charitable too often but when they are it is imperative McInnes and his players take advantage of whatever scraps of comfort they can.