Boss has given me confidence

Sep 7 2008 Scott Mcdermott

ANDY CONSIDINE'S head was in the clouds last season. As Aberdeen reached the dizzy heights of the UEFA Cup's last 32 he let his mind wander.

And it was the biggest mistake the young defender has ever made as his form suffered.

Schoolboy defending in both the CIS and Scottish Cup semi-finals resulted in embarrassing defeats for the Dons to Dundee United and Queen of the South.

Considine now admits he took his eye off the ball and paid the price.

But he has learned his lesson and that's why the 21-year-old is like a new player for boss Jimmy Calderwood this term.

Lookingmore assured with every SPL game, Considine has played his part in tightening up a defence that leaked goals like a sieve last term.

So far Calderwood's side have recorded 1-0 wins on the road at Fir Park and Love Street - as well as holding Rangers to a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.

Considine believes he's a much improved centre-back to the one who was guilty of high-profile errors last year.

And the Scotland Under-21 star now refuses to let any slip-up affect his game.

Andy said: "As a team we've defended pretty well this season and it has shown in the last few games.

"We lost a ridiculous amount of goals away from home last term but we've worked on it and it's much better.

"We're grinding out results now. There has definitely been an improvement in my game. I've been more consistent and hopefully I can keep it up.

"The gaffer has put trust in me by picking me ahead of Zander Diamond. That gives me a lot of confidence and I'm just trying to repay him."

Aberdeen faced giants like Atletico Madrid, Panathinaikos and Bayern Munich on their Euro run last term.

And Considine admits those glamour ties distracted him too much from the task at hand in the SPL.

He said: "I felt my head was somewhere else at times last year. I made a few mistakes and was letting it get to me.

"This year I've matured. I've grown up a bit and hopefully the mistakes won't happen again.

"It wasn't anything off-field - it was just me making errors. Maybe I was thinking about the European games and getting a bit too excited.

"I feel as if I was a young boy then and it went to my head. I wasn't concentrating fully.

"If I make a mistake now I'd like to think I'd deal with it a lot better. I'm mature enough to cope.

"It's pressure being in the team ahead of Zander. He's a good player and highly rated by everyone at Aberdeen so it's good to be ahead of him. I know the gaffer has faith in me."

Considine has struck up a solid partnership with Dons skipper Scott Severin at the heart of Calderwood's defence this season.

But if they continue their excellent form the duo will be unfairly compared to Aberdeen's defensive legends.

Considine said: "You're always under pressure at Aberdeen.

"If you have a few good games at centre - half people start comparing you to Willie Miller or Alex McLeish. But that's something we have to deal with.

"It's great hearing what brilliant defenders they were but you can't compare us at this stage."

Considine scored twice at Hampden in last season's Scottish Cup semi-final, something every kid dreams about.

But his day ended in disaster as Aberdeen threw the game away and lost 4-3 to Queens in an epic match.

The defeat hurt everyone at the club but Considine believes the players can bounce back to win silverware this term.

The defender recently signed a new four-year deal and hopes he can help the Dons end their 13-year wait for a major trophy.

Andy said: "There were a few low moments from last season which stuck in my head.

"I actually scored in both semis but still ended up losing each time to United and Queens.

"And on the first day of the season I made a mistake when we lost 1-0 to United at Tannadice.

"But the defeat by Queens was a sore one. I scored twice and when you do that you think you will win.

"It wasn't our day but I have a feeling we're going to go one step further this season and win a trophy."