The Dons captain recently sat down and reviewed the season with the programme editor:

“Maybe after what we did last season, reaching two cup finals and finishing second in the league it was always going to be hard to repeat it. We wanted to win a cup this season and that’s maybe the part where people are saying we’ve been disappointing.

“I don’t think people have taken into account just how big the turnaround in players was last summer and the impact it had on the dressing room. We lost some big players, so it was always going to be tough to try and replicate last season. In the light of that, I think we’ve done pretty well.

“There have been disappointing moments with the cups and you can’t get away from that, but in terms of the league our form has been pretty good. Maybe it’s the Celtic and Rangers games where people will criticise us, but I’ll take that if we get second in the end, it’s that final position that counts and that would be a big achievement because of the level of competition which has been really fierce”.

While results have been disappointing in those big games this season, precious little luck has gone the Dons’ way in them either, not least in having key players absent through injury or suspension.

“That’s true, but you’re hoping other people in the team stand up and take their opportunities to take make their mark, so you we can’t overly use that as an excuse. You want to put out the best team possible on the day, but minus the Celtic and Rangers games, we’ve done really well in some of the other matches.

“The fans are going to criticise us against the Old Firm, we know that, and its part and parcel of being at a big club like this, but if we can finish second this year with how tough it’s been, it would be the best achievement of all the runners up spots we’ve had.

“We’ve got closer to Celtic in the league too and if we could have had better results against them, it could have been interesting for all the top teams. A bit of uncertainty might have started to creep into their minds, but you always expected them to go on and win it.

“We try and fight them as much as we can, but it’s always going to be tough the way the budgets are, but we’re going to do our utmost to try and get second. The money other teams are spending, they should probably be fighting Celtic more than we should be, so it’s testament to us that we’re trying to be second.

“These are good times for Scottish football now because it’s a really strong top six and looking like it will get even better next season. You want the big clubs to be up there fighting. You’ve got Hearts that will be no doubt wanting to strengthen as much as they possibly can with Hibs being back in the league. They won’t be too keen on Hibs finishing above them again, so you’ll have that fight.

“Hibs will want to push on, then you’ve got us, Celtic and Rangers, Killie and Motherwell will want to get involved in the top six, so it’s got the makings of another good year. Our focus will be trying to finish this year strong and in second position but then, likewise, we’ll need to strengthen. I’m sure there will be a lot of boys coming and going so they’ll be a lot of new faces next season and we’re looking forward to it.

“Kenny McLean will be on his way after today and that’ll be sad. He has been amazing especially since I’ve come in. He played 141 games in a row or something, so that’s almost every one since I came in! I’ve played next to him pretty much every game, except for the odd occasion when I’ve played left-back, but predominately I’m in the middle with him.

“There was Ryan Jack there as well so the three of us had a really good understanding and even though he’s left, me and Kenny have still been here in that middle area. I think he’s been tremendous and he’ll be a massive loss for us and we won’t realise how big till he’s gone. We wish him the best of luck and he’s got a fantastic opportunity at Norwich to go and show them what he can do. We thank him for what he’s done at the club and we wish him well.”

“What will help us is bringing players in in January. They’ve had time to acclimatise to it all and they will be better for it when we come back next season.

“Sam Cosgrove has been here since January, so he would have been itching to try get on the pitch and show what he could do, especially after the Celtic game. Against Hearts, he turned a lot of heads and showed what he can do. He has build on that and keep getting better. He’ll get better and better for us.

“Mikey Devlin is back too. He’s had a real tough time with injuries. What I really like about him is he’s worked so hard to try and get fit and although it was maybe easier to leave it till next season, he’s been determined to try and get back as quickly as he can. He wants a game or two under his belt and wants to try get involved with the team, which is a really good attitude to have.

“He’s someone that will fit in very well with the team. He’s a really good guy and gets on with everyone. Like the manager always says, he was a captain at his team so he has to be a big personality and big character and he’s taken that into this team. Although he’s not been playing, and sometimes it’s easier to settle in when you’ve been playing and thrown into the deep end, he’s been the opposite. To be able to settle in as well as he has is really refreshing and him and Sam have been big additions to the club already”.

With a European place for next term now secured, it’s the Europa League that provides Graeme with his fondest memory of this term to date – though scoring a winner on Sunday might change all that…

“My goal against Apollon is my favourite moment. The nature of the goal was special because I don’t normally hit shots as good as that one! With the magnitude of the game, the crowd and the noise after it went in, then the celebrations, it made it a really proud moment. It’s one I’ll always remember”.

A World Cup summer means that there should be a slightly longer break this summer than as been the case of late, whatever the situation with European qualification.

“You need a break. Seasons go by and the summers seems to get shorter and shorter, so a decent break to get away would be good. I always like to get a couple of weeks away and a couple of weeks at home with the family and seeing other family too.

“It’s so important to finish second because that gives us an extra couple of weeks off and that is very beneficial as the season goes on, it gives you that bit more in the tank as you get to this time of year.

“It’s really important you get a good bit of time to just get away from football, although the World Cup’s on this year and you have to keep up with that – I still need to get my sticker book! I think France are the outside shout with the strength of squad they’ve got. They should be in or around it.

“I’ve also got the small matter of getting married this summer!

“I’ll probably be a bit nervous when it comes around, but making speeches is something that I’m quite used to it with football – I spend my life having to do things in front of people anyway! That kind of stuff doesn’t really bother me as much. It’ll be a great day and great weekend with the family all involved, so I’m looking forward to it.

“The big thing is we don’t want to head off into the summer on a downer. You enjoy it so much more when you’ve done well, so that gives us that bit of extra fight and determination to get second. We’re going all out to try and get that. It’s a case of just throwing everything at it and enjoying your break when it comes.

“These are massive games and ones you want as a player.”