Paul spoke to Andrew Shinie after the 3-1 win over St Johnstone at Cove on Monday afternoon

The St Johnstone Game

“We might have scored more and been more clinical in front of goal.

“The first half we done ok in possession. I thought we passed the ball well but out of possession we were a wee bit sloppy, I would not want to say lazy, but switched off a bit which allowed St Johnstone to enjoy the game more than I would have liked, especially towards the end of the half. It also allowed them to grow into the game and gave them the encouragement from our point of view that they did not need.

“Second half when we get after them more and when we were a bit more compact as a group, I thought we were excellent.”

Ethan Ross

“Ethan Ross second half was unplayable at times.

“He is such a talent and it is so good to see his positivity in the game. I am not keen on singling individual players out, but I thought his performance was outstanding.

“I would like to see him take more opportunities when we creates the space, which he does more often than not. He could maybe take a wee gamble and get some shots off. That is something we will keep working with him on.

“He is just so exciting.

“You want to see him on the ball. He is a throwback to an old skilful winger when he gets on the ball and wants to take people on. We maybe just need to get a bit more of an end product when he gets into good areas. But as I say he is so exciting.”

Seb Ross

“He might have had more than one.

“Seb has a brilliant knack of getting on the end of things. We have said it time and time again. Maybe with a bit more sharpness, more game time, the chances he does get will go in for him because normally when he gets into that area, he is very clinical.”

Miko Virtanen

“With him playing alongside Stephen Gleeson, we took the brakes off him.

“Normally Miko is the one who is the assurance and looks after the back four but with Gleeson there it allowed him to get forward a bit more and once he gets there he shows his quality. The first goal was a really calm finish and he was never going to miss the second one. I think even I might have scored from there, with my right foot!!

U18s playing in the Reserves

“We had a few of them involved – Luke Turner, Lloyd Robertson, Max Barry, Lewis Duncan as well as Ethan Ross of course.

“That younger group are doing fine. The results at U18 level are not showing that but another year down the line, that will be a strong group at that level.

“We have loads of talent, we keep saying it.

“Some of the them need to learn the game a bit better, certainly the younger group coming through. We will keep harping on at them about the other side of the game and they will keep getting better.

The U18s have had a tough time in recent weeks but there has still been plenty of development.

Most of them are first years, then you have got the younger group below that (U16s) who are now getting involved – Lyall Booth, Calvin Ramsay, Tom Ritchie, Kevin Hanratty – it is good to get them up and get some games.

Players leaving?

“In the Development squad we have obviously got numbers like the First Team have so we can’t keep everyone and need to leave spaces for those coming through.

“Some have already been told they are leaving and another couple of decisions are pending. They are in limbo a bit at the moment. We will get that sorted in the next couple of weeks and see what decisions are made with them.

“They just need to keep working hard. There are few on the fence, but they still have the opportunity to make themselves noticed through their own play in these final games. They know what position they are in, it is up to themselves.

“It is always a tough time at this stage of the season when boys are not sure what is happening contract wise and it is not easy for them mentally to keep going but they have to keep doing that and then see what happens.”

Remaining Reserve Fixtures

Please be advised of the following confirmed match details:

Game: Greenock Morton FC v Aberdeen FC
Competition: SPFL Reserve League
Date: Tuesday 23rd April 2019
Venue: Cappielow Park, Sinclair Street, Greenock PA15 2TY
Kick Off: 2.00pm

Game: Aberdeen FC v St Mirren FC
Competition: SPFL Reserve League
Date: Tuesday 30th April 2019
Venue: Balmoral Stadium, Wellington Circle, Aberdeen, AB12 3JG
Kick Off: 1.30pm

Remaining U18 Fixtures

Please be advised of the following confirmed match details:

Game: Hibernian FC v Aberdeen FC
Competition: Club Academy Scotland U18 League
Date: Thursday 18th April 2019
Venue: 3G Pitch, Hibernian Training Centre, East Mains, Ormiston, East Lothian, EH35 5NG
Kick Off: 7.00pm

Game: Aberdeen FC v Kilmarnock FC
Competition: Club Academy Scotland U18 League
Date: Friday 3rd May 2019
Venue: Balmoral Stadium, Wellington Circle, Aberdeen, AB12 3JG
Kick Off: 2.00pm

Game: Kilmarnock FC v Aberdeen FC
Competition: Club Academy Scotland U18 League
Date: Tuesday 7th May 2019
Venue: Rugby Park, Rugby Road, Kilmarnock KA1 2DP
Kick Off: 3.00pm

Game: Aberdeen FC v Celtic FC
Competition: Club Academy Scotland U18 League
Date: Friday 10th May 2019
Venue: Balmoral Stadium, Wellington Circle, Aberdeen, AB12 3JG
Kick Off: 2.00pm