Derek McInnes Post Match Quotes |

On the game…

“I thought we were very good today, I thought it was an excellent performance.

“We spoke prior to the game about the middle third of the pitch, to be really aggressive and really relentless with our work. To put teams under pressure and to try and bring that quality in the final third.

“We wanted to get Hayes and McGinn on the ball as much as we could in the wider areas, so we kept them stretched to try and make that pass the first pass if we could.

“I think on a difficult surface, some of the quality of the play was excellent.

“2-0 was a really pleasing result, but I think it could have been a lot to be honest. I thought we were very good today.

“The honesty is screaming out of the team, they're relentless with their work. Yes, we can look at certain things about maybe being a bit more clinical at times and maybe bringing that little bit more quality and we need to keep striving for that perfect performance, but they physically cannot give any more than what they give me.

“They're an absolute credit to themselves, they give the club and myself everything every week.

“I've got options on the bench, and I feel as though I could pick a dozen different teams and be confident with what I'm putting out there.

“The players on the bench, they're not moping about, they're ready to come on and play their part – that pleases me no end.”

On Kenny McLean's form…

“I think it was important for Kenny today to demonstrate the same level of performance, and certainly the same level of approach to his game.

“When Kenny plays in that gear that he was in today so he is so good – the first press, the running beyond, the coming towards the ball, his crosses, his numerous shots – he hasn't scored today but he's done everything but score.

“If he was disappointed about not being in the Scotland squad he has channelled it in the right way.”

On the battle for second place….

“It's important that we just keep trying to manage our own game. I think that the focus from us and the experience that we have hopefully helps us in the run in.

“Every game in the run in has that little bit more of a spotlight on it as the games start to chalk off but I think it's important that we just keep a steady hand and just keep doing what we're doing.

“We will hopefully pick up where we left off when we come back against Dundee. The players get some time off now which they have earned.

“Hopefully we come back, picking up on the type of form and results that we are getting at the moment. The last couple of months, the players have been excellent.

On the remainder of the campaigner after the break…

“Aberdeen should be having meaningful games at the end of the season, for too many years it was meaningless games with not a lot to play for, just fulfilling fixtures. Now, we've got a bit of purpose.

“We've got a cup to try and win and we've got second spot to try and get. I think it's important that we go all the way.

“Normally when you look back, how you finish a season is normally how people remember it.

“We've put ourselves in position now, and hopefully we can see the job through.”

On Jayden Stockley's sending off…

“I haven't seen it again, but I have spoken to a couple of the staff who have seen it. I think Jayden has initially been fouled. I think he's frustrated because he's been held up and he realises he can't get to put pressure on the next defender, I think he swings his arm out.

“I think he's trying to fob off the challenge rather than inflict any real damage. There may be enough there that the referee has seen.

“It's really disappointing to be honest because I didn't think there was a lot in it, I think you see a lot of challenges like that, it's just the frustration.

“If the referee has seen more than a slap or whatever in the face, then maybe the red card was the right card.”