Ahead of Andrew’s testimonial match against FC Twente on Friday night, he today previewed the game and looked back upon his ten years and almost 300 games at the club.

RedTV | Andrew Considine media conference click here
RedTV | Andrew Considine: 10 years a Don click here

“My 10 years at Aberdeen have been very exciting and very special.

“I always supported Aberdeen as a young boy.

“I used to come and watch Aberdeen, my dad used to always take me and my brother, and sitting watching the team back in those days I always wanted to eventually be part of it and I have been fortunate enough to have had that chance.

“Aberdeen Football Club has been a huge part of my life. It is the best thing that ever happened to me.
“My father played here and I was fortunate enough to have been scouted to play for the club in the Youth Academy. It is a great place to be. You get looked after here very well. I have never thought about going anywhere else. All my family are in the Aberdeen area, all my friends are still here. I am also very privileged that the managers wanted me to stay here.

“I have seen a lot of managers, five in total, a lot of players have come and gone. It is hard to compare the different sides that I have been part of. During that time there have been some real highs and lows. When I made my debut Steve Paterson was the manager and it was not the best of seasons back in 2004. I made my debut against Dundee on the final day of that season. I remember the build up to the game and what happened after the match but the actual 90 minutes were a blur, I was that nervous!

“Then Jimmy came in and we had some very good seasons and had that European run in 2007/08. It was great being part of that, we reached some serious heights during that campaign. Now it is great being part of what Derek and Tony are doing at the club. The team are really moving forward and there is a lot to look forward to. I feel with the way the team are progressing and the quality of players we have in the dressing room there are exciting times ahead and I want to be part of that. We gave some serious European teams a real run for their money at the start of the season. I would say this is the best team I have played in.

“I am only 27 so I hopeful there are many good years to come, hopefully the best of my career. I would like to see out my career at Aberdeen.

“My advice to the young players at the club at the moment, and there are a lot of very good boys here, is to keep your head down and stick in. There is a lot of distractions out there for them. All the advice you are given by your coaches, really take it on board.

“There is a lot of hard work involved. You have to make huge sacrifices. I think a lot of people don’t realise how much hard work goes in being a professional footballer. But most of all go and enjoy it. It is a very special moment when you pull on that shirt and get to play every Saturday.

“There have been some real tough times throughout. We have played in the bottom six for too many years. We have had some disappointing cup defeats. Breaking my leg was a very difficult period. I had to work extremely hard to get back.

“My real comeback from that injury was when I came on against Motherwell in League Cup game last season. As well as returning after so long out, we were down to ten men and then I scored late. It is up there with my favourite games and I would like to think that goal helped us get to the final.

“I think most people would agree that I am not the flashiest of players but I will always go out and give my all. I will always give 110% for the shirt.”