Derek McInnes

“Hard fought but well deserved.

“I thought we deserved to take all three points to Aberdeen. I never felt totally comfortable and never felt the game was won. But as an away team I have to be pleased with the way we came here and imposed ourselves on the game. Thistle have been very good recently, their improvement is clear so this is going to be a tough place to come.

“To come and dominate the game as we did, the possession we had in the game, our movement ahead of the ball, I thought we really dominated. I thought Thistle were struggling but the only downside was we were looking to create more clear cut opportunities.  

“To only be one up at half time after Anthony’s fine finish from a set play was something we spoke about at half time. We had to try and make more of our possession. We also warned that Thistle would do something at half time. They changed from a five to a diamond. We were still getting to grips with that and making tactical adjustments when we lose a poor goal from a set play. I was really disappointed with that.  

“I though the response was immediate though. We then go and get another goal. It was a great move and great finish from Jayden. I thought it was no more than we deserved. We did not expect to get it all our own but I would have taken that performance and that result before the game without question.

“We have been saying to Jayden he needs to play more the way he trains. He has got great feet, he looks after the ball well and he can finish off either foot. All night he drifted and linked the play. His finish was different class. I hoped he would not go round the keeper as he has not got blistering pace! But he was so accurate with his chip. A fantastic finish and as I say no more than we deserved.

“We made three changes for tactical reasons; to play against Thistle’s shape but also to make sure we had enough size in there. Also, I picked players who had been doing well in training and Jayden had been doing very well. It is a squad game and we will look again at the side for Inverness. All I can ask is that when the players get a chance they come in and do well and play a part. Jayden did that and so did Adam. Although he did not score he led the line as well as he has done all season.

“I must give credit to Thistle as they never gave up and kept asking questions of us. Alan was trying things tactically and they were always a threat from set plays because of their size. But there is no doubt we deserved the three points.

“The shots Joe saved were all into his body. There is a calmness about Joe. He never spills the ball, all his work is tight and nice and assured. It is great to have that. The defence take confidence from that. I thought we defended really well tonight. Big Andy and Anthony did very well, and Shay.

“We are annoyed with the goal we gave away because it was something we identified before the game, their threat from set plays and Barton coming in late. That aside I though we defended very well.

“There are a number of teams who could get into second spot if they find their form. We just want to be a team that finds our form. We have the experience of the last couple of seasons of being that team who can go on good runs. Hopefully tonight is the start of another good run. It was important we did that. We now have Inverness away next.

“It is never easy and tonight was not easy but we are a team who are capable of coming to places like this and getting the job done. The question was asked of us at 1-1 and the response was immediate.

“I am very pleased for the players because there were a lot of good performances tonight. Some top performers.

“It goes without saying that it is nice going into the international break on the back of a win. If you don’t get the win there is a lot of soul searching and not feeling very good about yourself. We can now switch off for the weekend and then come back to work on Monday and hopefully continue our good work against Inverness.”