Aberdeen have turned their season around with a magnificent week that will give supporters real belief and optimism.
Manager Stephen Glass always had that belief in his squad, but that had to be turned into points.
Securing seven points from the triple-header against Hearts, Rangers and Hibs has put the Dons firmly back on track.
Aberdeen players, management and supporters had endured testing times with a 10-game winless run.
However, the last three games have turned everything around to ease tension and pressure directed at the club.
Aberdeen triumphed in what I viewed as the two most important games of the season – Hearts and Hibs at Pittodrie.
Both Edinburgh sides had started the season well and Aberdeen hadn’t.
Those games were key to Stephen Glass’ bid to turn change his side’s fortunes.
Aberdeen are in the top six again, which is looking how I thought it would with the two Glasgow clubs, two Edinburgh clubs, Dundee United and Aberdeen.
During their run without victory, Aberdeen had looked fragile at the back, but against Hearts, Rangers and Hibs that wasn’t the case.
They are beginning to get an understanding in defence, even though there have been different formations with a three or four at the back.
Aberdeen are gelling as a team, not making individual mistakes and the results are coming.
If that can continue, then it can be a very good season for Aberdeen.
Captain Scott Brown has played a huge role in hauling Aberdeen out of their slump as he has been magnificent in recent games.
The 36-year-old has been versatile by playing at the back and also in midfield.
You cannot put a price on that level of experience.
When the pressure was on, Aberdeen needed players that can handle the heat.
Brown is definitely someone who can withstand pressure.
He has done it throughout his career.
Brown is a guiding influence on the park and securing him in a player-coach role was a huge signing.
Without Brown’s influence, it would probably have been more difficult for Aberdeen to turn the season around with the pressure that was coming onto the club.
The manager can only do so much off the field.
👌🏼 The diving header.
🔥 The celebration. 🔥#StandFree | @ScottBrown8 pic.twitter.com/cAqqaMYrvn
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) October 28, 2021
You need that cool head on the field and Brown brings that in abundance to the team.
Wherever Brown plays, he makes an impact – and he even scored at Ibrox.
I watched Brown in the first half against Hearts when he played in the back three and he communicated with the players around him, which gave them more confidence.
When he moves into midfield, he pulls the strings in there as well.
It has been a major turnaround in fortunes considering only a few weeks ago Aberdeen lost 2-1 at then bottom club Dundee to go 10 games without a win.
That was the last game before the triple-header against Hearts, Rangers and Hibs.
However, when you are struggling for form, it is sometimes better coming up against the top teams as it really does focus you.
I know players should be focused for every game, but there are different aspects you have to handle when playing against teams you are expected to beat.
When you come up against top teams they play a much more open game as they want to win just as much as Aberdeen.
Whereas for some clubs, it is more about survival and trying to negate the opposition.
Going into these tough fixture, I thought it would give Aberdeen the opportunity to play their game without being stifled.
I certainly wasn’t looking at this run of matches as negatively as some other people.
Hearts had the chance to push for the top of the table so had to be more open than other teams would be.
Hibs were the same as they have the attitude of trying to win even away from home and don’t try to stifle opponents.
The point secured at Rangers added to the belief.
It has been a magnificent week for Aberdeen and the challenge is to continue that form.
Aberdeen’s battle to retain Ryan Hedges
I’m sure Aberdeen will do their utmost to sign attacker Ryan Hedges on an extended contract.
Hedges’ contract expires at the end of the season and Championship side Blackburn Rovers are reportedly set to come in with a fresh bid for the Welsh international during the January transfer window.
The budget has been extended quite considerably this season to support the manager.
I don’t think manager Stephen Glass could complain about the support both financially and verbally he has had from chairman Dave Cormack and the board of directors.
I’m sure Aberdeen will be desperate to keep Hedges, but at the same time there comes a point where you cannot go any further.
In England, the finances dwarf what clubs in Scotland have.
When big clubs come calling, it is very difficult to hold on to players, even for Rangers and Celtic.
With teams like Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs, the budget can only go so far and there are a lot of players to satisfy in that budget.
I don’t think Aberdeen will go silly for one individual.
If Hedges signs a new contract to stay at Pittodrie, it would be a fantastic boost for the club.
However, if he goes for a financial package too good to refuse, it is important to remember Hedges also has to look after himself.
He has been a great servant for Aberdeen and the club have been good for him as well.
Let’s see what happens in the January transfer window.
Walter Smith was an outstanding person
Not only was Walter Smith an outstanding coach and manager, he was an also an outstanding person.
Scottish football lost a great with Walter’s sad passing at the age of 73.
I knew Walter when he was at Dundee United during the period when Aberdeen were challenged by the Tannadice club.
Walter was also Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager with Scotland at the 1986 World Cup, where I worked closely with him.
I always admired Walter’s personality, stature and ability as a coach.
We came to loggerheads when I was manager of Aberdeen and he was manager at Rangers.
It was an all-conquering Rangers side that sadly we couldn’t overcome at times.
However, Walter was always aware of when an opposition manager is being defeated.
There were two cup finals we lost to Rangers and he had empathy for how much it hurt opposition managers.
Walter’s record as a manager is absolutely outstanding with Rangers and he also managed with distinction in England with Everton.
When you add in the success he had at Dundee United and his time as Scotland manager, Walter’s professional career was phenomenal.
Walter was also someone you could get on with who had a real sense of humour.
Everyone admired Walter.