“I think there's no doubt that the moment of real quality should be applauded.

“It was game that had a lot on it, a lot of challenges and a lot of bookings and a lot of frantic play.

“There was a lot of measured play, especially from Rangers, I need to say that.

“But in the dying seconds of a game the stage was set for the young man to step up and score. That goal was as good as any goal you will see.

“It says everything about Maddison. It is terrific composure, when everybody is excitable around about him and the game is running the clock down. To produce that bit of quality, that's why we deserved to win the game there is no question.

“Games are about scoring goals, and we scored two very good goals.

“We showed far more of ourselves in the second half, we were so unhappy with our first half performance. We didn't commit to anything. We didn’t commit to our pressing, didn't commit to our tackling and didn't commit to our passing game. We let Rangers enjoy the game far too much.

“That said, it was 0-0, a lot of the possession was in front of us. I can't remember our goalkeeper making many saves.

“We still had a couple of moments where we did get our pressing right, and we did pass forward. McLean's shot, Rooney should maybe score from Shinnie's cross. So I still think we had good moments.

“The players needed reminded of that at half time that we weren't showing what we are capable of. We needed to be more aggressive with everything we did, commit to everything better and show we are a good side and we still had forty-five minutes to do that.

“We take the confidence from scoring the goal, it was a terrific start.

“We put Jonny Hayes to centre forward because we wanted to carry that threat in behind. We wanted to get him on the shoulders of their two centre backs and I thought he did that, I think the goal helps us.

“Our pressing was then far better. Rangers were finding it harder to get up the pitch. Although they had a lot of possession it was still in front of us.

“We were then disappointed when Jonny knocks off.

“The game was then poised for someone to step forward with a bit of quality and James does that.

“That is why we deserved to win the game.

“I can understand why Rangers are disappointed not to take something from the game when they had so much possession. The game is about scoring goals, and we scored two very good goals and we deserved our win.

“The players showed what they are all about. It has been a big week for us. We wanted six points and wanted to be in a semi-final. Every game has been completely different. Rangers made the pitch big, they test your organisation, they move the ball quick and they have a lot of good players. There were a lot of good players on show but Maddison was the one who found the quality to get the win.

“It takes different ways to win games.

“Although Rangers had a lot of possession I still thought we carried more threat.

“My subs played a big part in the game again.

“Have the option to bring Burns on and to give their defenders something else to think about was important. It is something I have not always been able to do. I think that has been clear in the past three games. Hopefully that will help us going forward.

“It is only three points but it is good to beat a team of Rangers quality today. It is a good day for our club. The club was at its best today. A full house and the fans right up for the game. The supporters enjoyed that and we have to enjoy beating a team like Rangers.

“But it is the same three points that are available next week at Kilmarnock and we won’t get too carried away.

“We can look at our first half performance and know that we can be doing better. But the players deserve so much credit. Many of them were running on empty there at the end.

“We said when we signed him that James brings something different. When I sign players I can’t always bring better ones to the club but I can bring something different. We have a lot of pace in the team but sometimes you need that thought and guile to open the door, especially at Pittodrie when teams sit in against us.

“We did not start him today as it was his third game in a week. He is only 19 and it was a big ask to make him play three games in such a short space of time so we thought it was the right thing to do. We always knew he would have a part to play in the game.

“Whilst we have got James we will try and enjoy him.”

“Whilst we have got James we will try and enjoy him.”