What if and what next for Aberdeen?

Andy Considine celebrates completing his hat-trick. Pic: SNS/

Aberdeen's run of 11 wins in 13 league games has confirmed their place as the second best side in Scotland but what if and what next, asks Joel Sked.

When Alan Muir blew the full-time whistle at a deserted Dens Park, minus the boisterous away support, Celtic were still waiting to be confirmed champions. Aberdeen had put on an emphatic and, at times, electric, display against a wretched Dundee to win 7-0.

Celtic’s march to the title has been inevitable for a long time. Aberdeen have won 11 of their last 13 league games, giving them a ten point lead over third-placed Rangers, not to forget a 20 point lead over Heart of Midlothian, who have played a game less. However, they have been unable to draw in the Parkhead side, who held a 25 point lead prior to Friday night’s encounter.

The seven-goal thumping of Paul Hartley’s side confirmed what was evident in the previous dozen games: Aberdeen are the second best side in the country. Yet, at one point this season questions were being asked of Derek McInnes.

There were cases to be made on both sides of the argument. Two second-placed finishes, a third-place and a League Cup victory. On the other hand, how much further could he take the Dons? Plus queries over his constant tinkering.

The League Cup final defeat was the season’s low-point. There was no disgrace at getting beat by this current Celtic crop, but it was the manner in which they surrendered. Aberdeen simply weren’t competitive enough, brushed aside with ease.

However, the defeat did not prompt a turning point. That came the following month. Jayden Stockley, Wes Burns and James Maddison all started in attack for the Dandies at Ross County in December. Only Maddison finished the game. Substitute Niall McGinn appeared to rescue a point, only for Ryan Dow to grab a late winner.

At that point in the season Aberdeen sat third on 28 points. They were level with Hearts and seven behind Rangers, albeit they held a game in hand over both. Few, even McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty, would have foreseen the change that was on the horizon. It commenced less than a week later when Aberdeen made the trip to Motherwell.

Niall McGinn celebrates one of his last goals in an Aberdeen shirt. Pic: SNS/Ross Parker

Four changes were made. The line-up read: Lewis, Logan, Taylor, Reynolds, Considine, Jack, Shinnie, McGinn, McLean, Hayes, Rooney. The deserved 3-1 win was the first of 11 in the run of 13 games in the league, not to forget advancing to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

The reason for highlighting the line-up is simple, it would become the bedrock of Aberdeen’s upturn in form. For the first half of the season McInnes’ team selection was inscrutable. Not only was it difficult to predict but it was difficult to fathom system and shape. The meddling was proving detrimental to his team, proven by what has followed since the change in tack.

McInnes went six games without changing the starting line-up. Since the defeat of Motherwell McInnes has made only seven changes to his starting XI for league games. This approach has been propitious as the Dons have grasped hold of second place.

It just leaves that question often asked by football fans: what if?