Derek McInnes | post match quotes from the press conference

“It is a different competition, so it does not dilute the disappointment from last week.

“We were hugely disappointed.

“There is no doubting the influence of key players today, that we did not have available last week, had a big bearing on the game.

“Kenny McLean’s quality for the first goal separate the teams once we got to grips with their change in shape. It is unusual for Kilmarnock to change their shape. Once we allowed Christie to come more in the pitch and allowed O’Donnell to run onto Reynolds, we started to get a slight foot hold in the game.

“Although it was a 2-0 score line I don’t think there was much of a margin between the two teams. I thought Kilmarnock were every bit as competitive as us and every bit as good as us, but the goals came at the right time and it gave us something to hold onto.

“It was a very tight game.

“Although 2-0 away from home sounds comfortable, as whilst I think we deserved it, I don’t think there was much between the teams to be honest.

“When they kept continuing to put front player on after front player, and whilst Kris Boyd is still on the pitch, you have to keep your concentration levels.

“They played that ball forward often enough and we had to try and deal with that. I was just hoping we could play a bit on the back of winning those first headers in the second half.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes

“I felt we were good value for the three points.

“It was a tough venue to come to and play against a team who a very much in form, so we will take it.

“I am delighted for my players because the boys took a bit of a kick-in this week. It is great for them to get the reward of the three points. The togetherness that was shown was great.

“It was good for the supporters to come down and see a winning team again. Hopefully it sets us up for another good game against hearts at Pittodrie next Friday. It is the first three points after the split, but we are going to need a lot more of them if we are going to get second spot.

“It is in our own hands to finish second, as it is Rangers, as it is Hibs. So we don’t look too far ahead. I did think Hibs might get something today. They are a very good side and I believe they were good value for the win.

“I think there will be a few twists and turns yet.

“There are some good teams involved in it. We just want to make sure we are right at the heart of it. There have been a lot of plaudits for a lot of other teams in that top six this season, and if we can finish second – and we are proud of the fact we have finished second over the past few years – it indicates some decent work from us and hopefully we can make the improvements we need to make to be better again next year.

“I would not say we are favourites to finish second, but we do have the experience of doing that.

“I think there are strong squads there. Rangers have a strong squad. Hibs are in good form. We have had some great matches against Hibs this season. They beat us 2-0 at Easter Road and hands down they blew us away in the second half. But we have beaten them home and away this season. Two good teams.

“If we find our form, we can win games against anyone, but it is all about finding that form.

“Hopefully we can maintain the effort we showed today. Hopefully we can show the motivation that we showed today. And then come up with the goods to win those games. It is an exciting finish and I am just glad we have picked up three points and we can now look forward to Friday.

“Kenny McLean now misses the Hibs game after that booking. I did not think his role in the incident merited the same yellow card as the Kilmarnock player.”