OCCASIONALLY a footballer can be found muttering all the right things while his body language speaks, at best, of sheer indifference.
Russell Anderson was a study in the exact opposite on Saturday evening.
Had the Aberdeen captain's words mirrored the air of frustration and dejection surrounding his features, we would surely have been treated to a memorable tirade. As it was, with Aberdeen's 10-match unbeaten run halted on a first competitive visit to Dingwall, Anderson measured his words carefully.
But the occasional pause and grimace hinted at a man who might have been keen to be more critical. Aberdeen failed to ignite, although much of that was down to County's tenacity and organisation, with Mihael Kovacevic able to snuff out the likes of Ryan Fraser, the sprightly Aberdeen winger. The Pittodrie side were also unfortunate on a couple of occasions, but Anderson had no wish to entertain hard-luck stories.
"You get what you deserve in football," said the Aberdeen defender. "I can't remember County having a chance in the game but we have gifted them two goals. We got what we deserved.
"Our run was always going to come to an end at some point but for it to end in that manner is disappointing. If we are going to lose then it should be because the opposition were better than us and we were outplayed, but I don't think that was the case.
"We lost because we didn't turn up, at all. Clearly, there is work to be done at both ends of the park for us."
You might argue that County made their own luck; strong and resilient where Aberdeen were not, the Dingwall team's persistent ability to counterattack paid off with the free-kick that Mark Reynolds knocked into his own goal after 35 minutes.
Then came the crowning moment four minutes after the break. Young County striker Steven Ross had been chosen for only his second competitive start, yet the youth academy product from just along the road in Balintore village showed great poise, bursting behind the visiting defence to send the crucial second goal past Jamie Langfield.
It was a fine moment that made Aberdeen's recovery – with Jonny Hayes setting up Niall McGinn to finish – of little consequence in the end, and Richard Brittain, the County captain, was quick to offer his callow team-mate a warm handshake as a congratulation.
You sensed, though, that Brittain would be just as quick with a cold clip around the ear if the teenager allows it all to go to his head.
"I'm thrilled for him that he has managed to cap his performance off with a goal," said Brittain. "All I do is try to encourage him, like older players have encouraged me throughout my career. It's a good start for him, but that's all it is – a start. We have to keep him grounded."
"He's only a young kid, but if he keeps working hard, I'm sure he will do well."
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