Adam Rooney
The Dons striker spoke to the RedMatchday Magazine editor ahead of Sunday's game:
“Coming into a game against Rangers you know what it means to the fans and the city. They are always looking forward to this one. From our point of view, any big game you want to go into in good form. The home form and the run we have been on, we could not be better prepared. We just want to keep the run going.
“When we have been successful in the recent years, had these good runs, it is because we have blocked out everything and just focussed on ourselves. We have not looked at what games are coming up or two or three games ahead, we have just concentrated on each game as it has come along. We have not focused on the teams around us in the league. We just worry about each game and try and get as many points on the board as we can. Thankfully at the minute we are in a good place.
“The manager makes sure whoever is next, that is the where our focus is. As he always says, a slap in the face is just around the corner. We focus on the next opponent and try and go and get the job done.
“That next game is Rangers. The two games against them this season have been tight. The game here we got the late goal through James with his great free kick. The game at Ibrox we probably played better in the first half than we did at home but they got the first goal. They have been two close games and I would imagine it will be something similar on Sunday. They will be coming up here desperate to win but we are confident and wanting to win at home again.
“When you get a few wins then the confidence goes up. We are looking fit and sharp at the moment.
“Another reason we have gone well is that we have not got carried away when we have won a few games. We are just enjoying our football.
“Attackers like to take the credit when we score and we also like to share in the credit when we keep cleansheets!
“You attack and defend as a team. I think that is something that is very evident at the minute. All over the pitch we are trying to press as a unit. We all work hard to try and keep clean sheets. It is a good little run we are on without conceding a goal so we want to keep that going.
“Going forward we have always got players in the team who can score goals so we know that if we can keep a clean sheet then we have always got a chance of winning the game.
“Kenny has played the role in behind me for a while now. Earlier in the season he was playing deeper in the middle. I think he has been outstanding for the last couple of months. I think you could play him anywhere on the pitch and he would do the same job. He is brilliant. It is great having that behind you. He sets the tone for a lot of what we do. He is so comfortable on the ball when he picks it up in the hole and links a lot of the play for us.
“But I think when you look throughout the whole team, everyone is playing to a very high standard. “You might have a stage in the season when you have one or two players playing well. But at the minute we have 11, 12, 13 boys all playing to a very high level. That is probably why we have been on such a god run. No one is certain of a starting spot at the moment. The lads on the bench have come on and massively helped and contributed. They have come on and scored winners, set up winners or helped us see the game out. That keeps everyone on their toes. When you have that level of consistency throughout the team it is unusual but highlights how hard we are working in training and what is demanded of us.
“It is hard not to enjoy your football at the minute! If you don’t enjoy it now I don’t think you will ever enjoy the game. It will be even more enjoyable if at the end of the season we can finish on a high by getting second place and getting to another cup final.”
“It is hard not to enjoy your football at the minute! If you don’t enjoy it now I don’t think you will ever enjoy the game. It will be even more enjoyable if at the end of the season we can finish on a high by getting second place and getting to another cup final.”
