Aberdeen fans are split on the club’s decision to withdraw the offer of a new contract to defender Andy Considine – but it is clear many believe the announcement of the stalwart’s departure has been poorly handled.
The 35-year-old’s 18-year career in the first team will come to an end this summer after the Dons offer of an extension was withdrawn on Monday.
Aberdeen had planned on announcing Considine was leaving today, but news broke late on Tuesday about the club’s decision.
The fallout on social media has been widespread, with fingers pointed in all directions – at the club, at Goodwin, and at Considine and his representative:
Stop deflecting Goodwin. It's not the leak you should be dismayed about, it's the way you've handled what was obviously a difficult and emotive discussion that motivated someone to talk to the press. If you'd dealt with it better, regardless of outcome, it wouldn't have leaked.
— Alasdair Glen (@junglebux) April 6, 2022
Embarrassing state of affairs, regardless of who’s in the wrong Andy deserves a much better send off than this
— Norm (@DoctorDon1903) April 6, 2022
Its Andy’s final contract and his agent is entitled to try and negotiate it, especially after his commitment to Aberdeen. Frankly it’s embarrasing to see the club treat him like this. All it needed was an announcement saying he was leaving and thanking him for all he has done
— Bspeedie (@bryspeed1e) April 6, 2022
So unfortunate all round! If, as the statement says, the agent was asking for too much surely negotiate! A real hero and loyal player! Another season to see how things went is not unreasonable! Such a sad way to end his time with the club.#COYR #StandFree #DonsLIVE #Dons #afc
— southstandview (@southstandview1) April 6, 2022
The decision to let him go in itself has been met with anger and disappointment by Considine’s supporters, while others cite his age and season-long injury as evidence why the club was right to only offer a one-year deal.
On Facebook Mark Smith wrote: “Won’t affect me if the Considine decision is correctly reported my season ticket will not be renewed for the first time in 25 years. If this is loyalty from the club they can kiss goodbye to mine.”
Ian Gillander saw it differently. He wrote: “No single player is ever bigger than the club. I am sure many people would be delighted to receive a six-figure wage offer coupled with future career training development plans.
“Andy Considine was rather naive not to tell his agent to accept this offer. He has tarnished his image at AFC now, sadly.
“Respect to Jim Goodwin for his honesty and keeping fans informed on what must have been a rather sensitive and difficult topic.”
Sounds like his agent wanting one last decent pay check with Andy; and has now leaked hoping for fan pressure which he got. Andy 100% deserves a new deal but at 35 and just back from a bad injury; can’t expect a wage hike and a 2 yr deal. On those terms, not nice but right call
— STANDFREE Scott🏴 (@scott_gemmell) April 6, 2022