Aberdeen fan view: A madcap conclusion that bodes well for the season ahead

The opening league weekend is always an exciting time, as fans look forward to seeing the first 90 minutes of action for a revamped squad.

For Aberdeen it lived up to the billing – if you ignore the first 89.

A madcap conclusion, born of some of the scruffiest football imaginable, did little to indicate how this season’s Dons are proposing to score goals in the normal run of things, but earned them three times as many points on August 1st as their predecessors collected by the end of September 2025.

Which of those truly mattered was clearly demonstrated by the joyous send-off offered by Aberdeen’s captain towards visiting supporters experiencing mind-bending late heartbreak for a third league match running.

Imperative though football’s nature makes it to rub salt into rivals’ wounds while they are fresh, in the wider context it should not be forgotten that Hearts’ plight is that of us all.

That three of the most pivotal contributors to their title near-miss should immediately be cherry-picked, with little to no financial compensation, was the perfect example of how things operate in Scotland: anyone who identifies themselves as a credible threat can expect to be ransacked in protection of the established order.

An unusual place indeed where a move down the league table can unquestioningly be characterised as a step up.

It appears likely to have its desired effect, as this Hearts side, despite their avowed intention to be annual challengers, do not look like possible champions – even if, relative to the corresponding fixture last season, they are no worse off.

Aberdeen’s personnel changes meanwhile – not so much cherry-picking as composting – carry greater promise of improvement.

Some seeds have not borne fruit yet, but this was a late bloom of which last season’s sickly specimen would never have been capable.

[Source: Press and Journal]