Whatever one’s views on, and affinity for, the Scotland national team, only those hearts truly made of stone will not have felt even a momentary swell upon seeing Andy Considine stride out of the Hampden tunnel wearing its colours.
He is Aberdeen’s, no doubt.
Few others in the modern game can reach his stage in life and be able to say that they have never played a minute in the colours of any other club, even on loan.
But every other club in the land will have one of their own and will understand the immense pride and emotion in watching such an estimable servant at last receiving recognition for gallons of blood, sweat and tears expelled in pursuit of a shared dream.
Considine is undoubtedly a player who has got better with years – and so it is no surprise that he has scaled this peak later than almost every other Scotland cap in history.
Former Aberdeen winger and manager Tommy Pearson, whose career was interrupted by the Second World War, is the only outfield player ever to make his Scotland debut at a more advanced age.
Dons fans have held Considine in particular esteem for many years, partly on account of his extreme diligence and professionalism, partly in defiance of braying wiseguys who pretend that their clubs would have no use for such a player.
To see the former finally carrying him to an accolade which the latter can never take away brought a lump to the throat.
In every team sport, players like Considine – who pour everything of themselves in the constant production of the best performances they can possibly give – are worth their weight in gold.
Scottish football, so unprolific in its creation of world-class talent, was built on the backs of those men.
Andy Considine is a worthy addition to the list of players honoured; he has played his part.
Proud of you, min.