IMAGINE the scenario. Derek McInnes has led Aberdeen to a Scottish Cup final in his first season. For 85 minutes the Dons have had Neil Lennon's Celtic on the ropes, but they just can't quite get the ball over the line.

Peter Pawlett picks up the ball in midfield. He skips over Scott Brown, dances through the challenge from Victor Wanyama, jinks past Joe Ledley, and bares down on Fraser Forster's goal.

He's one on one with the goalkeeper. He steadies himself, ready to pull the trigger, send 20,000 Dons fans into ecstasy, and end 19 long years of hurt.

Charlie Mulgrew barges into him, knocking Pawlett off his stride, and sending him sprawling to the deck. To you and me it's a penalty, but all eyes are on the referee.

What if that referee is Craig Thomson, who has twice been in charge when Pawlett has tried to con him into awarding a penalty?

Perhaps it is John McKendrick, who has already booked Pawlett for diving when in the colours of St Johnstone. Or Alan Muir, who may have had to explain himself to Scottish FA beaks this week after deeming Pawlett's swan dive at Dens Park worthy of a penalty.

With five minutes to go in a cup final, knowing the criticism that would come your way for wrongly pointing to the spot – especially when it's Celtic and Neil Lennon you're awarding it against – can anyone say with confidence the referee would award the spot kick knowing Pawlett's reputation?

 

 

 

 

EVEN for a man with the statistical spin and ‘co-company drum banging’ etiquette of current outgoing Aberdeen boss Craig Brown, the average attendance figures at Aberdeen FC are a statistically damming insight of the quality of fare on offer.  

Sure to form though come February 2013 - ignoring the Armageddon prophecies of doom that Doncaster and Regan reeled out at the start of the season - Brown had a go at spinning a positive light on the ‘jump’ in fans attending at Pittodrie:

“Alongside Hibernian, we are the only SPL side who have experienced a jump in those attending week on week compared to last season.” Craig Brown, February 2013  

This ‘jump’ has to be seen with the same context as Browns ‘we won more corners than them’ speech so often trotted out after another 0-0 home draw. That is, the man was purely putting a shine on something very muddy – something he has made a career out of doing.

 

He did. With 20 minutes to go Aberdeen were leading 3-1, and arguably should have had a penalty for their troubles too. That Aberdeen ultimately lost 4-3 after doing away with the habit of the season and not defending was neither here nor there. On day one of the season they had lost 1-0 without barely a shot on target. This time, they had rattled Neil Lennon's side in a thriller.

Of course, that performance will not make a jot of difference to Brown's Pittodrie career, for he had already announced he would retire at the earliest opportunity before the trip to Glasgow. He had sent his men out with an attacking mentality not to save his job, but to go out on a high.

 

It was 90 minutes that was fitting of this season under his tutelage. A good side capable of playing if given the chance, but with a bad start and a bad end, the good stuff they at times managed in between ultimately meant no prizes.