Aberdeen’s title hopes are as strong as granite

The Dons are rock solid.

A tale of Alex Ferguson back when the knight was still young accompanies Aberdeen’s title win of 1979-80.

Exhilarated at having seen the Dons clinch the title with the 5-0 pasting of Hibs, he grabbed the microphone to address the red-and-white hordes who had poured onto the Easter Road playing surface to celebrate.

After thanking them for their support, he ended with the invitation that anyone who fancied was free to come round to his house for a drink later on.

At 3am on the Sunday morning, there was a knock at the door two bold fans having decided to take the Furious One up on his offer.

At that hour, they could have expected the famous hairdryer treatment. Indeed, no evidence exists as to whether they spent hours before plucking up their courage.

Happily, they were instead welcomed in for a dram and a special screening of the game.

Three-and-a-half decades on, there is no danger of Derek McInnes putting himself in a position where he feels similarly beholden, should his team be crowned champions of 2014-15.

Social media has changed the world forever. Such an offer now, if followed by a tweeted address or even photo of his home, would be liable to attract a crowd that could fill Pittodrie’s stands.

Bookies remain unconvinced it is an issue the current Dons boss will have to deal with any time soon.

His team, top of the League in the second half of the season, can still widely be backed at the working man’s price of 9/1 against. But Aberdeen will never have a better chance of winning the title. Consider first the opposition.

Rangers and Hearts, historically two of the Dons’ biggest rivals, are out of the top flight right now. Dundee United, brilliant on their day, are consistent only in their inconsistency.

And Celtic, the reigning champions and overwhelming 1/12 ON favourites with the bookies, are a team in transition.

True, they head into 2015 still in Europe and all the domestic competitions.

Nevertheless, under the charge of Ronny Deila, a new manager previously untested outside of his native Norway, they are unquestionably brittle.

Legia Warsaw, Maribor and Salzburg have all beaten the Hoops in Scotland.

Promoted Hamilton Accies have defeated them at Celtic Park; Ross County held them goalless there just a fortnight ago while Dundee United overturned them at Tannadice.

Next season they will either be stronger for the experience of having won together under Deila, or they will be playing for a new leader.

By contrast, Aberdeen look as solid as the granite that built much of their home city.

While the openness of Celtic’s play gives opposition teams a chance, the Dons shut them down and, in doing so, shut them out.

From 13 appearances, keeper Scott Brown has harvested 11 clean sheets an astonishing haul.

As the former Bristol City and Wolves kid would be the first to admit, that has been down to the efforts of the men in front of him.

The central defensive partnership of Mark Reynolds and Ash Taylor is strong and composed. From the flanks, Shay Logan a star turn and Andrew Considine complement them well.

Ryan Jack does a great defensive job in front of the back four, as does Jonny Hayes, who scurries about the midfield hunting down opponents.

And it is the lightning-quick pace of Hayes, allied to that of Niall McGinn and Peter Pawlett, which gives this Dons team its attacking edge, with strikers Adam Rooney and David Goodwillie the beneficiaries.

Taken individually, the squad is comprised of players shrewdly targeted and recruited by McInnes for their ability to carry out a specific role in the side. They are all fit for purpose, SPFL purpose.

Collectively, with the confidence that comes from a winning run, they are more than the sum of their parts uniting to become a dominant force.

Many onlookers now view them as a cut above the rest of the SPFL, Celtic apart. If there is a criticism, it is that too often they don’t kill teams off when the opportunity is there.

In the longer term, do they have the depth of squad to sustain the challenge?

Here again their credentials look solid. Experienced stars Russell Anderson, Willo Flood and Barry Robson have all still to return.

And they have youthful talent waiting in the wings should an injection of freshness or variety be needed.

Jamie Masson and Declan McManus have been recalled after their successful loan spells with Brechin City and Morton respectively.

Much is expected of striker Cammy Smith, likewise Lawrence Shankland, a prolific goalscorer at Under-20 level.

With the players all tied to long-term deals on decent money, and the majority having already tried life down south, the winter window is not the threat it once was.

Which leaves only the question of bottle can they handle the pressure of a tight title race?

As the two Aberdeen fans who chapped Alex Ferguson’s door at 3am one May morning can testify, you only really know if you are brave enough when the moment comes and the door swings open.