Derek McInnes
“We were certainly guilty of being wasteful in key moments of the game.
“We're delighted to get the first goal, it's a good delivery from Greg Tansey and Anthony contributing. We've been a wee bit disappointed that we didn't score more from set plays in the European run, so it's good to score a goal from a set play.
“When we were hot we were really hot. But as times we were a bit wasteful and the game became a wee bit like a basketball game towards the end. I'd like to have seen a bit more control to it.
“There were certain parts of the game I was really pleased with, a real energy with players being positive dragging Hamilton all over the place finding space to get those opportunities but it took too long to get the second goal but when it did come I thought it was a fairer reflection of the game.
“I'm delighted for Miles, it was a lovely calm finish from him to get the second goal.
“Obviously, when it's 1-0 you're never totally there and that's why we're disappointed that we've not made more of that. I think on the back of a European game, especially an away game and Hamilton are preparing Thursday and Friday for this game and we're playing in that type of heat and humidity travelling through the night and players are getting to their beds at five in the morning – I need to commend the players for getting themselves and up and ready to compete against Hamilton. The one thing you have to be above anything else is ready to compete. You need to be able to run with them and fight with them.
“Hamilton are competitive and they've got good players but you've got to be ready to give energy against them and I thought we did that in the first half and I think as a consequence certain players were a bit leggy towards the end but thankfully we got the goals to get the job done.
“We anticipated Hamilton playing a back five. I thought it was a good game for Scott (Wright) because it helped him get that first pass in quicker because there's no real protection in front. It then becomes a game of him versus the wing back. We asked him to be as positive as possible and we asked him to hold his width to allow the game to be stretched on that side and he was so positive when he got it. He's not going to go past him every time but he passed him enough and created so many chances. When he skips past people he's got that real pace to eliminate people. His decision making was good at times. That will get better as he gets games under his belt. He was exactly what was needed today when the game hit a bit of a lull at times and people are running on empty he would light the game up with a fantastic run so he can be pleased with his work. We're pleased with everyone's efforts to make sure we were ready for the game.
“I see a difference in (Scott Wright) I think he's taken confidence from the Partick Thistle game, even prior to that I mentioned last season the six or eight weeks before that game. He's watched Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn be our wide players for the last four years or so so it's been difficult to get him in and it's unrealistic to expect him to be at their level when he's 17, 18 and 19 but he's certainly got the potential to be that and more. He is someone who will get better with game time. He's got really friendly with Ryan Christie, I think Ryan being in the team, Scott takes confidence of playing with certain players and his team mates trust him. I think he's only going to get better and better. He still has loads to do and there has be a trust with all our wide players that they can do their defensive bit. But as a one to one wide player, someone who can go and commit people he's very exciting to work with and to watch.
“I thought it was important to freshen up the team a bit. Just from having the benefit of experiencing that over that over the last few seasons. I remember the one time when we did not do it and I think it was the only game we lost here – against Dundee United when they done us on the counter attack a couple of times. I was kicking myself that I did not freshen the team up enough. I think the last three years a freshness has helped us get results.
“I thought some of the players who had to go again, their performances were more than decent given everything I said about the exertions used on Thursday. The players were still flat because of the result yesterday so to get them up and ready for the opening game of the campaign was important and I thought they were that today. “It has been tough for Miles. He has not had as many opportunities as he would have liked for various reasons. It was a lovely calm finish from him. At stage of the game his energy and how brash Miles can be, he has that real bullish strength to go and offer himself, it was good stage of the game for him. It was a lovely finish. “He is a very popular boy with all the players and staff. You could see the reaction from everyone, they were all pleased for him.
“The good thing about Miles is that he has been the ultimate professional. He has never let it affect him too much. He has always knuckled down and got on with it. And you get your reward if you are that type of player throughout your career. He has trained hard and come back this season really fit.
“Adam Rooney was touch and go today. He will be touch and go for Wednesday. We are hoping he can join full training on Tuesday. That is the intension. It would be great to have him back. The surface at Hamilton will not have an impact on the type of injury he has. So if he trains on Tuesday he will travel with the team.”
“Adam Rooney was touch and go today. He will be touch and go for Wednesday. We are hoping he can join full training on Tuesday. That is the intension. It would be great to have him back. The surface at Hamilton will not have an impact on the type of injury he has. So if he trains on Tuesday he will travel with the team.”
