quotes from the press conference

“The first day has gone well. It is good to get started and get to meet the players. There was still some disappointment hanging about over from the result on Saturday but it is important we get the players switched on and ready to go for the last five games of the season. Teams can sometimes think the season is done once the split has been made but there is still a lot of work to be done here before the end of the season. It is important we try and finish the campaign as positively as possible so we can try and take some momentum into next season.

“I am not going to make any knee jerk reactions. We have the luxury of being able to work with the boys for the next few weeks before the end of the season and that is why it was important that I got in now. The fact we haven’t made top six for the past four seasons would suggest there is a lot of work to be done but from what I have seen of the team there is also things to be encouraged by.

“But we cannot pretend everything is great. We all know the expectation levels that are at this club and they have not been met in the past few seasons so we have to start making small steps and making some progress. We have to improve things on the pitch but there is a lot of things in and around the club that can also be improved.

“Because of the tradition, because of the level of support we have, there is an expectation. There is a support here who craves success. We have to give the club and the players the chance to bring that success. We feel with some additions, and it is clear to see that we need some additions, and if we can get more from the boys we work with next year as well, thing will improve on the pitch. But the playing element is just one part of it. We have to make sure we are better than other clubs in other areas as well. Without commenting too much on that there are areas we can improve on right away. I have only been here two weeks but I have already seen where we can improve in certain areas.

“The situation where we only took over today has not been ideal, I cannot pretend that, but for me it was the right way to do it for loads of reasons. There is a respect there for Craig and Archie. It was more important that I got in before the end of the season so I had a better chance to access the staff, everything in and around the club and certainly the players.

“I have not made any judgement on any players yet. Every player will have the chance to still be here next year.

“Players are not daft. Players know when a new manager comes in, the out of contract ones, that things change so they will be concerned. I totally understand that but there have been no decisions made on any of out of players, or any of the players in contract. It would be wrong to suggest just because you are under contract you are going to be part of things going forward. I have to see a collective effort from everybody. They have to make their case to me as well. Prove that they want to be part of something because we all have a role to play.

“I have watched the recent games. We had a really good home performance against Hearts but we did not get to those levels against Dundee United on Saturday. There was a lot riding on the game and there was a lot tension but we needed to dig deep individually to get things more in our favour. So I have seen both sides, a good performance and a disappointing performance.

“I have also been to a couple of the U20 games, I have been to see one of the loan players and I have also been trying to get things in motion for pre-season so there has been work that has been getting done behind the scenes but the most important part is working with the players. That is the best bit about being a manager, the contact with the players. I can look from the outside in, but it is only working with the players every day that you get to know them, personality wise, their character, so you are not just judging them on their performances. There are a lot of things that go into trying to get a squad together for what you hope will be a successful campaign.

“I have identified areas that I think the team needs to improve but I will not be telling anyone that.

“Having been at Tannadice on Saturday and seen the level of support, it has made me even more determined. We are very lucky to have that support. We know there are more out there if we can just get them stimulated again and get them believing in their team again. I think the support will turn out if they see a committed, hard working, winning Aberdeen team. That is the challenge for us all.

“Success does not just come from putting a new manager in charge. We can drive it, we can implement our way of working but it will take an effort from everyone throughout the club. The players and myself take the main responsibility but we will all work together to try and make Aberdeen strong in every area.

“I am here because I want to be successful. Other managers in the past have sat here and said the same things on the first day. Everyone wants to be the manager that turns this club around. I must stress though it is not just down to me. I will take a huge amount of the responsibility in trying to get a team that the fans will be proud of but we all have to try and inspire the city. We have to get the city falling in love with the team again.”