This piece is an extract from yesterday's The Dandies newsletter, which is emailed out at 6pm every Tuesday.

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What a difference 10 days and keeping the ball on the deck makes.

Ahead of Aberdeen’s game against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa Conference League many observers feared a cricket score outcome but, on the night, Barry Robson got his tactics and formation spot on, and the team were extremely unfortunate to come away from Germany’s fifth most populous city with a narrow defeat. More importantly, there was a newfound optimism among the support that this newly built Aberdeen team at long last were starting to look the part.

Having dispatched of Ross County in both the League and Viaplay Cup respectfully the Dons went into last Saturday’s game with Rangers knowing the home side were very much there for the taking. Like in Frankfurt Robson deployed the same tactics and formation knowing, if in possession, the high press was used to its full advantage Rangers could succumb to the sucker punch. Having needed a good twenty-minutes to settle down, Aberdeen came into their own, playing the ball out from in and around their own eighteen-yard box Franco Baresi style. It was a joy to watch. The difference from the Livingston, St Mirren, Hearts, and Hibs games was there for all to see. When on the ball on Saturday space was utilised, supporting players were never far away and at times the football on display was technically superb. Long may it continue.

READ MORE: Aberdeen and St Mirren legend Frank McDougall dies aged 65

Aberdeen came away from Ibrox with a famous and well-deserved victory, their first in the League there since 2018 and the first time since 1997 that the travelling fans had three away goals to celebrate. Aberdeen fully deserved their victory but the narrative after the game from some left me scratching my head. Why is it that here in Scotland as soon as one of the big two loses a game it’s all about how they lost the game, why can’t equal measure be found and balance the argument with “well, let’s have a look at how Aberdeen won the game” I appreciate and understand that Celtic and Rangers are the low hanging fruit and the core business for many news outlets but that doesn’t mean to say we can’t ‘big up’ those sides who, on any given day, can beat either Glasgow side. Do this, and fans of Scottish football will have a newfound respect. It’s all about the balance, it’s not difficult.

When I woke on Sunday morning there was still a buzz in the air from the day before but that was all to end very quickly when I received a desperately sad message from Dave McDougall, brother of Aberdeen cult-hero Frank McDougall. In the early hours of Sunday morning Frank sadly passed away due to heart complications after being admitted to hospital the same day. It was devastating news. Frank had only recently been inducted into Aberdeen Football Club’s Hall of Fame and was in good spirits the last time we corresponded having just left Sir Alex Ferguson’s home in Manchester where he collected his 1986 Scottish Cup Final shirt from this boss himself who, for all these years, had kept the shirt as part of his collection.

Frank was an astonishing striker, one of the best this country has ever produced. There is an argument to suggest that having never represented Scotland at full international level during his absolute pomp is bordering on criminal. He signed for Aberdeen in July 1984 to replace the already departed Mark McGhee. Having needed a couple of games to settle the goals started to come, and they came in their bundles. In the next two seasons Frank played 69 games for the club scoring 44 goals, winning the Adidas Golden Boot on the way. Sadly, his career was cut short due to a debilitating back problem which forced his retirement at the age of 29. He was a kind-natured man, who had time for everybody. His stories are now part of Aberdeen FC folklore and I have no doubt that Joe Harper’s goal-scoring record would have been under serious threat if Frank had not been forced to retire.

I did ask him once to quell a rumour for me that the day he bagged 4 goals against Celtic he was still worse for wear during the game having spent the evening before in some of Aberdeen’s finest establishments. He looked at me with a slight grin on his face and said, “If I had been sober that day, I would have scored 6!” May he Rest in Peace.