“The most important thing on Saturday was the three points and getting the clean sheet. We always know if we keep clean sheets then we are capable of getting goals and getting the win. So ahead of a very busy and very important week, we needed to get back to basics.

“Being involved in the game on Saturday, I felt in the 90 minutes that Mikey and Scott were very strong at the back and very competitive. They were winning a lot of first balls. We knew that was the way Motherwell would play and we knew how aggressive they are. They try and get the ball forward as quickly as possible to their strikers and they try and play off second balls. They are very good at it. Throughout the team Motherwell are very strong so in both boxes they give you a real challenge.

“It was great to see Mikey back alongside Scott and hopefully that partnership can grow from strength to strength.

“It was a good goal…. although it was all in the pass!!

“No seriously, I am delighted for James to come into the team and get a goal in his first competitive start.

“In training we have had a wee taste of how he is as a player and a glimpse of how good his finishing is. He is a superb finisher and if we can get him the ball in the right positions, more often than not he is going to score.

“It is good for Gary and myself to have a player like that. His movement, he makes your mind up for you. The level he has played at, hopefully that can benefit us as a team. His goals will obviously help like they did on Saturday, but just his all round game, he is very good at linking the play.

“We have good options up front with Sam and Stevie and also Bruce. All completely different types of players who can do a job in different situations.

“I remember Dom switching the play and then the ball came out the side and then Dom got on it again and played it to me. I checked over my shoulder when I got the ball to see who was behind me and then I was able to look up and spotted the run. I had to thread it through a few different bodies and James has taken a good first touch.

“I am delighted to contribute an assist to help us get the three points.

“I feel I am getting better every game. I am now feeling good and comfortable in the games. Any season when it gets up and running, you want to get some consistency in your performances as early as possible and you want to get some early goals. Playing out wide you maybe don’t get as many chances but if I am helping out with assists and the team are winning games I will be more than happy.

“Hopefully I can continue to contribute with goals and assists.

“I think as a team all we are missing is that all round team performance for 90 minutes and then we will kick on from there. We have been unfortunate this season with injuries, but players are starting to come back now and we are starting to build partnerships all over the pitch. if we can get a few wins in a row we will get back to the consistency that we have shown in previous seasons.

“I have scored a few goals at Easter Road over the years. I think in my second season I scored a winner down there and I then had a great night when we won 2-0 and I scored two of the best goals I have ever scored. So I have had some good times down there and it is a stadium that has good memories for me.

“I did not play the last time we were down there so hopefully I can play a part tomorrow night.

“The cups are a priority at the start of the season. You see what it means to a club like this. Walking round the stadium you can’t help but notice the pictures from the big days out at Hampden. That is why you join a club like Aberdeen.”

“The cups are a priority at the start of the season. You see what it means to a club like this. Walking round the stadium you can’t help but notice the pictures from the big days out at Hampden. That is why you join a club like Aberdeen.”