ASHTON TAYLOR

Central defender Ash Taylor previewed the game on Friday night on RedTV:

“I am fine for the game.

“I felt my thigh in the warm up on Sunday but was able to play. However at half time, with the score at 3-0, it was decided not to risk it especially with the game on Friday. It was the right thing to do and I need to be careful what I do in training this week.

“I enjoyed the first half against Hamilton whilst I was on the pitch. It was a very good half from us. We expected Hamilton to come at us and to play a pressing game but our game plan was to start the game strongly which we did. We got the early goal and then went on and put in a good performance. There was some great play and some great goals. A lot of different players were involved in each of the goals which was encouraging.

“The ground staff deserve a lot of credit. They did a great job to get the pitch into the state it was at the weekend. It does help. It helps us play the fast flowing football that we are capable of. Teams struggle to cope with us when we can get real pace into our game. The pitches make a difference because when the surfaces are poor you have to take that extra touch.

“I feel it has gone pretty well this season for me. I have not picked up that many injuries or missed many games.

“I feel my game has improved since I have been at Aberdeen. Playing with better players always improves your game. Coming up against the likes of Jonny, Adam, Niall in training – you are surely going to improve! They have some ability and you have to constantly be on your game to cope with them.

“I have tried this season to get a lot more consistency into my game.

“I am still quite young and I am still learning. Every game you are learning. Every day you are learning. It is just part and parcel of football. You can always take a bit of experience off someone else. I am only 25 and have a good number of games under my belt but I am always working hard to improve my game.

“Having someone like Barry Robson in the changing room is so important. I really like Barry. His banter is brilliant! He has been there and done it.

“One of the things the manager has done is recruited really well. Not just players with ability but players who fit into the dressing room. Simon Church came in in January and has done really well. He has fitted in really well.

“He is a great lad. The fact he has fitted in well has allowed him to go out onto the park and do what he has done. Simon is full of experience and having hit the ground running in the Celtic game, it would have done his confidence a lot of good.

“Hopefully we will also get Adam back soon. Going into the games after the split with two main goal threats will be important.

“People have almost overlooked the fact we have qualified for Europe already because we are still fighting in the league. To have qualified so early is a fantastic achievement and shows the progressing we are making.

“It was important for us to improve on last season and we are close to doing that.”

“It was important for us to improve on last season and we are close to doing that.”