For the final home game of 2018, the Aberdeen captain in his Red Matchday column looked back and reflected on what the year – and especially the season so far – has served up.

“Truthfully, I think it’s been a strange season because we haven’t had the consistency that we’ve maybe enjoyed in the past.

“As I said in my last programme notes, there are mitigating circumstances for that. We’ve been fitting so many new faces into the side and into the squad, plus we’ve been really unlucky with injuries, at the back especially. But it’s starting to feel as if this team is beginning to bed down now and that things are clicking for us as we all become more familiar with one another and players really begin to feel at home.

“There have been some real highs and then some real lows, though in part, I think that’s as much of a reflection on how much tighter the league is this season as it is on how we’ve played at times. I think this has been the most competitive season in a long time.

“It’s so tight and though we’ve had a bit of an inconsistent season, Hibs are very much the same, Hearts have had a tough spell lately. Kilmarnock have been doing very well but we are still right in touch with them with our games in hand. As much as it’s been an up and down season, we’re still right in the mix of it all and have so much to play for.

“Some of the recent results have shown the character that this team has. The second half against Livingston was an example of that. After what had happened against St Johnstone the week before, we needed to get the win and we went out and did that, playing some of the best football we have done in a while. Hopefully we can look back at that game at the end of the season as being a turning point in the same way the win at Motherwell was at this time of year a few seasons ago.

“Throughout my time here, we have always had sides that can bounce back after a disappointing result. We very rarely have two or three bad performances together. The only disappointment this season is that when we have done that, then we’ve lost again, which has meant we have had to bounce back again! We have not put together a winning run which has been the frustrating part but there are still plenty of games to do that.

“A string of wins is so important. It puts points on the board and puts pressure on the other teams. It is something we have been good at doing in the past since I have been at the club, but something that we’ve not done this season.

“I definitely think we are good enough to finish up near the top again. It’s up to us to go and do it. If you are going to be anywhere near it then you have to put runs together and string some wins together which puts pressure on other teams. So far, we have been playing catch up for most of the season. We want to change that after the break. But in all those second placed seasons, we’ve had sticky spells at some point, it’s inevitable they will happen.

“This season, there have been big changes. Players will come and go at clubs, but when you have players who have been the mainstay of the team going, it’s hard to keep replacing them. Credit to the manager though, he has managed to do that very well throughout his time here and get new boys in.

“A big plus this year has been the younger players coming through. It’s so refreshing to see. They’re coping with pressure too. Sometimes young boys come in and have no fear about them and they just want to go and play their football. I think Connor showed that when he came on as he changed the game completely. He was so direct, putting good balls into the box and if you have that constant threat, it’s going to pay off in the end.

“For the likes of big Sam getting those couple of goals lately has been really good for him because the strikers have been criticised for not scoring enough goals. Stevie has also been in great from recently and everyone in the team really appreciates what he gives to the team.

“Lewis has had some big moments for us. He has scored some crucial goals in big games which is important. For his first season, he has settled in really well. His goals have shown that he has good game intelligence. For such a young lad to give us that is massive for the team, but he is still learning all the time.

“We were all desperate for Max to extend his loan. Max has been absolutely top class since he’s come in and he’s a great lad and a great boy to have in the dressing room. His performances have been different class. But when loan players are doing so well, their club will look at bringing them back for their team. We wish him all the best for the future.

“On a personal level, getting involved with Scotland has been a real highlight. I’ve enjoyed my time away with the international team this season and we also have some great games to look forward to in 2019. We’re coming up against some special teams with special players in them. Belgium are one of the best teams in the world, so hopefully they will be games I will be involved in. It’s the first time I have been involved in consecutive camps. Being away on every one of them has been good for my confidence and I love being amongst it. Hopefully I can keep performing well to get selected for the squad.

“Playing in the friendlies has been good for adding to my caps but I want to play in competitive games. It makes you feel more part of the squad. I now feel part of the furniture. There were times when I was in and out, and making squads but not playing. Obviously to get my first cap under my belt this summer was good but to get my first competitive cap against Israel, especially with the way the game went, and feeling that I contributed well and played my part in that game to help the team get over the line. On the journey home to Aberdeen I was on a massive high. Representing my country means a lot to me.

“I worked hard to get my first cap and I will keep working hard to get more. It is always an honour to represent your country whether you are 18 or 19 or 30, 31.

“After the Livi game, I’m going to Dubai the first week of January, flying back and then going back to Dubai with the team! But I don’t mind travelling. I have been like that my whole career. I’ve travelled from Inverness every second week since I was a youngster and at Aberdeen, we also do some long journeys. Some of the European games were huge trips.

“I feel like this is the first time that I’ve really needed the break. With being involved with the international team and going away in the summer to Peru and Mexico, I only had a two week break in the summer when I got married and then had a short break and then it was straight back at it with the season starting again. Then during the international breaks I am away so you don’t get the chance to shut off completely from football and recharge the batteries.

“The trip to Dubai during the winter break has become a bit of a tradition. And it has been very beneficial in the past. Going away the boys and being together is good for the team morale. The warm weather training is something sure everyone loves. I take my hat off to the club, they look after us so very well. For us to have the privilege of going to these sort of places, the boys really appreciate it.

“We enjoy it, we have some good down time together too, but the hard work is there as well. The manager, Doc and Barry will make sure the training is done well. We are there for a purpose, to get fit and ready for the second half of the season.

“From all the boys in the dressing, we wish you all a very happy and successful new year ahead!”