AMID the fog of war that swirled around Tannadice in the closing stages of this match on Saturday, as play raged back and forth in a glorified game of playground football, one particular moment passed by almost unnoticed.
There cannot have been much more than 10 minutes remaining when Niall McGinn latched on to a Scott Vernon pass and began to bear down on goal. One of the most assured finishers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League needed only cover 30 yards and to beat Radoslaw Cierzniak to score the goal that would secure Aberdeen's place in the top half and ensure that Craig Brown could retire to the boardroom having achieved his aim.
All this and more was perhaps going through the forward's mind when, from nowhere, John Souttar appeared on his shoulder. The Dundee United centre-back had matched the run and was now jockeying the forward, a precursor to a firm but clean tackle that swiped the ball to safety. It was a remarkably accomplished piece of play from one so young.
Souttar only celebrated his 16th birthday in September, yet in that moment he potentially altered the perception of United's entire campaign. From having been consigned to the bottom six and limping into an ominous William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final engagement with Celtic, Jackie McNamara's side will now travel to Hampden on Sunday buoyed by the prospect of a successful season.
Had his own team not been the victims of United's ascension, Kenny Shiels might have been moved to echo the praise he offered McNamara last week, the Kilmarnock manager having heralded the "bravery" of his Tannadice counterpart for giving both Souttar and 17-year-old Ryan Gauld game time in such fraught circumstances.
That the United manager's hand was forced a little by the imbalanced squad he inherited and a rash of injuries should be acknowledged but so, too, should the fact both youngsters appear ready to make an impact. Aside from his crucial challenge, Souttar was composed, read the game maturely and distributed the ball well; Gauld, meanwhile, committed opponents, drifted into space and demonstrated an eye for a pass.
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