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Mackay-Steven’s Signing Shows Aberdeen Are Getting Ready To Roll Over Sevco’s Puny Challenge

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I’ve always liked Gary Mackay Steven.

I always thought that boy would be a hit in a Celtic shirt. When he was at Dundee Utd he was one of the most exciting players in the country to watch, and I was thrilled when he, along with Stuart Armstrong, made their move to the Hoops.

It didn’t work out for Gary at Celtic Park; injuries were part of the problem.

But I just don’t think he dealt well with the pressure of being at such a massive club.

Life at Celtic was hard for him, right from the start. He scored on his debut, and that might have been the worst possible beginning but expectations were through the roof. Gary is a confidence player, and as time went by it got harder to sustain that. The kid had all the talent in the world – that much has been obvious his whole career – but it flared only briefly at Celtic Park. A move in this window was always in the offing.

Fortunately, he’s gone somewhere good, somewhere his talents can blossom again. Aberdeen is perfect for him, as it’ll be perfect for young Ryan Christie. They’ve brought in others too, like Greg Tansey, Nicky Maynard and Greg Stewart. They are still after Louis Moult and Shaun Maloney.

For all the talk of what Sevco are doing (in the media anyway) Aberdeen’s business has been far more impressive, far more grounded. These players know the game here. These are considered, thought out, signings. Aberdeen are our biggest threat.

They have done everything right in this window. They’ve coped with the loss of key players by bringing in able replacements. The integrity of their squad has been maintained. Tansey is a more than suitable replacement for Ryan Jack. Hayes’ departure has been lessened by the arrivals of Christie and Steven. If they get Moult and Maloney they are in better shape than ever. Maynard has enough experience to be a quality addition.

In contrast, Sevco’s signings have all been of the high-risk variety save for Jack and Dorrans, who at least know what’s required. But the adulation being poured on Dorrans is ridiculous; his club could not wait to get him off the wage bill yet his unveiling at Sevco has been hailed as some kind of stroke of genius.

Dorrans will have to compete with Kranjcar, Jack, Pena, Windass, Holt and Rossiter … that’s a lot of money going out the door every week for a club that’s skint and you’re not exactly getting much bang for your bucks either.

I think if you look at the two squads you see an Aberdeen team with known, proven players in this league and at the level of it. You look at Sevco’s squad and you see something that looks like it’s been thrown together without much thought. The euphoria as they completed these signings is now largely gone amongst their fans … they realise that this is a high-wire act that could easily end in catastrophe, but the real shape of their folly is emerging to their north.

Aberdeen are getting set to roll right over the puny, Ibrox “challenge.” Whilst Sevco have talked a good game, the team at Pittodrie has been slowly taking shape, much as the one at Celtic Park now is. The contrast is stark. Professionals working to a high standard, as opposed to the over-hyped arrogance at Ibrox. The Dons and Celtic know the best place to do your talking is on the pitch. It’s no wonder Caxinha’s team are the laughing stock of Europe.

McInnes would not have been the answer to their prayers but he would have brought them stability and a sensible team-building policy. He would never have overseen such a shattering defeat as last week. Ironically, his team is next up in Europe and I would be willing to bet they don’t exit at this particular round. They are going where Sevco couldn’t go. If they make the Groups don’t be surprised; they’ve got the fundamentals right.

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