After more than two decades of service to the game, Scotland cult-hero Andy Considine has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 37-year-old revealed the news on Sunday evening, bringing an end to a storied career that spanned over 600 appearances at the top level.
Considine first broke into Aberdeen’s senior squad in 2003, making his debut against Dundee the following May, and went on to become a stalwart at the heart of the Dons' defence.
Over the course of his 19 seasons with the club, he scored 40 goals and provided 33 assists from 571 outings.
He then ended his time in the game with St Johnstone, where he went on to play 71 times across two seasons before becoming a free agent this summer.
A tough-tackling and reliable presence at the back, Considine was a key figure in helping Aberdeen establish themselves as one of the top teams in the Scottish Premiership, winning the League Cup in 2014 and finishing as runners-up in another three finals.
Despite his long and mostly successful tenure at Pittodrie, Considine's international career was relatively short-lived - yet iconic due to the success of his stag-do video, where the Banchory-born star is captured singing along to Bacarra's disco anthem, "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie".
The tune has now been adopted by the Tartan Army, with it being belted out throughout Germany at Euro 2024, ensuring Considine's legacy lives on.
Read more:
- Celtic fans help shift summer transfer focus amid Brendan Rodgers' admission
- Jonny Hayes pens emotional Aberdeen goodbye amid Celtic return links
He earned three caps for the Scotland national team overall, making his long-awaited debut during a 1-0 win over Slovakia in 2020 at the age of 33.
While his international opportunities were limited, Considine will be fondly remembered by the Aberdeen faithful as a modern-time great, a player whose commitment, work ethic and leadership on the pitch embodied the spirit of the team and the city.
Announcing his decision to hang up his boots, the versatile defender took to Instagram to share the news.
Accompanied by a series of his career highlights, Considine wrote: "Sad because it's over but smiling because it happened. Thank you football."
His former teammates and fans were quick to react to the post, with Niall McGinn commenting, "Some career mate. Enjoy what lies ahead for you."
Lawrence Shankland said: "Congratulations on a great career Andy, a top top guy. All the best with what's next."
"It was an absolute pleasure playing along side you my man, some career. Now rest them old legs, you've earned it, Aberdeen legend," said Shay Logan.
While Richard Foster replied: "One of the best guys in the game. Fantastic career and good luck with whatever comes next."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here