The Battle for Best Loser
They say that in athletics, silver is the least favourable medal because gold has won and bronze is happy to have sneaked into the medal-winning positions. But I wonder if those battling for bronze by the end have a moment, about half-way into the race, where their hearts plummet as they realise they are nowhere near winning.
Despite the loss to Falkirk, Aberdeen are still in the fight for the SPL's third slot due to Hearts and Dundee Utd's defeats. However, looking at the bigger picture, last weekend amply demonstrated that Aberdeen, Hearts and United are still a million miles from getting anywhere near worrying the Old Firm for Champions League slots.
Utter lack of consistency from the 'second three' has meant that the palpably average Glasgow clubs have still been allowed to scramble to the top of the heap unchecked, save for the odd inconsequential and distracting triumph.
Still, having choked on that astringent lozenge, we can now look forward to a cup game against the Dons' two worst enemies: a lower-league team, and ourselves. And after that it's in our own hands to be clear in bronze place, with crucial games against our two fellow Old Firm dominance-smashing failures Hearts and United.
