Ante Palaversa was the player who spoke to the media on Friday to preview the William Hill Premiership fixture against Motherwell at a sold out Pittodrie on Saturday and the Croatian midfielder was full of praise for the Red Army.

To watch his press conference in full on RedTV, please click here. 

“The support is amazing.

“I think in every game, our fans make a very big impact for us and they help us. So we are really, really, grateful to them. They have really helped us this season and their backing tomorrow will be really important.

“We are expecting a tough game.

“We are playing a very tough opponent who can play some good football. We have to be prepared tomorrow to be at our best and to perform very well to win the game.

“They are also coming here to try to take the points. We have to focus on what we can do to influence the game and focus on our gameplan. We are well prepared and we can’t wait to play the game.

“The break was good, we had some time to see family, friends, and to recharge the batteries at bit as well do some good work on the training pitch. It was really nice, a short break.”

A win would all but guarantee the Dons a place in the top six after the split, but that was not something Ante was thinking about.

“A win would help us for the future, of course. I think every game between now and the end of the season is like a cup final, let’s say. I think we are ready and prepared.

“What we want to achieve is to win every game from now until the end of the season. But for now, I think the most important thing is to speak about Saturday’s game, and as I say it is like a final for us.

“It is vital for us to take as many as points, as we can.

“We are going to fight for it.

“Our goal from the start of the season was to push for a place in Europe. I know there were times that were a little bit difficult, and we were dropping points, but I think we are in a good way right now, and we’re going to do everything we can to achieve that.

“The new players have made a big impact and they have helped us.

“I think everyone wants to get into that third spot (get into third ahead of the league split). I think that’s our main goal as well. Finishing third, it’s very important, and I think we can still achieve that. We are going to push as hard as we can. We’ll do everything but we just need to focus on getting a positive result on Saturday.”