But even then it was second-choice as it was to be for two more campaigns at Middlesbrough. In fact t was only in 1904 ten years in that four seasons at Aberdeen brought him a consistent place and further recognition, which came in the form of The Dons in 1905 winning The Qualifying Cup, the "Scottish Cup" for lower league teams. In 1907 he even captained the team. However, in April 1908 it was speculated by some supporters that he has deliberately allowed a very late goal in the Cup semi-final against Celtic. It seems highly unlikely to have been true since he was not to blame for the goal itself and had otherwise had been very successful in the game in keeping a clean-sheet but at just thirty-four he stepped away, retired and, although he was briefly tempted back by Motherwell, a badly broken finger would in 1909 lower the curtain finally.  

It is thought that at this point Rab might have left for Australia. The evidence is thin but it is not impossible and he was, in any case, soon to be back. McFarlane had been born in Greenock in 1874 the second son of a Cooper from Dumfries-shire, his mother from Glasgow. He, like his elder brother, Thomas, had been a Ships Plater, with the sibling remaining in the trade, in the town, marrying and having four children as Rab pursued his football and did none of the above. But Thomas McFarlane at the age of forty was in 1911 to die, at some point after which his younger brother seems to have reappeared and taken on the whole family. Indeed in 1921, with he and his erstwhile sister-in-law, Jane, now both shopkeepers, he running a newsagents/confectioners, they and the nieces and nephew shared the same address, Thomas and Jane's previous home. And Rab and Jane would continue to do so until her death in 1939 at the age of sixty-nine, he remaining there until his passing at that same age in 1943.