If a week is a long time in politics, it can be every bit as long in football too, as Stephen Glass reflected after the Dons had ended Hearts’ unbeaten start to the season.
“Walking off at Dens Park a fortnight ago didn’t feel great, but you’ve got to front it up, do your work, and believe it will turn. At the moment, that’s happened, and I’m delighted the players are getting the rewards for their efforts.
“Seven points from nine against three teams at the top end of the league, that’s a good week’s work. The ability of the players, the quality they’ve shown and especially the mental toughness to respond to the pressure that was on them and to come through it, that’s been impressive.
“When players like Dylan come in after not playing, you see everything about their professionalism. You can see how diligent he’s been in his work when he hasn’t been playing because when he got the call on Wednesday, he was ready and we’ve seen him put in two excellent displays. He kept the ball for us really well, defensively sound, got around the pitch, I was really pleased with him. The same applies to Dean, the both of them were excellent.”
With injuries limited Aberdeen’s options, today’s win was all the more praiseworthy, underlining the importance of the squad Aberdeen have built this term.
“We put together a strong squad for times like this when there are injuries and we’ve seen the value of it. Managing a group like that when they’re all fit is a challenge, but it’s the right challenge to have and the players have reacted to it in exactly the right way.
“Everything comes down to players in the end, their professionalism. The group of characters sitting in our dressing room are brilliant. I’ve been involved in football a long time now and I’ve ever seen a dressing room like it in terms of spirit. That’s why I believed they’d come through that tough period.
“Their togetherness is amazing. Playing or not, they’re all part of one group and I’m so happy for them that they’ve turned it round this week.
“The same goes for the supporters, they have been excellent through that tough spell. Today, we lost a goal in the 46th minute but they applauded the players off the pitch, and that goes a long way towards helping them respond in the second half. I think the fans liked what they saw today.
“I expect Scott to be brilliant for us and today, he drove the team on within the change of shape we had in the second half. That helped us take control of the game where Hearts had enjoyed themselves a bit too much in the first half. It was a big decision to take to change the shape after the results against Hibs and Rangers, but we took it and the players executed it well.
“It was great for Marley to get his first goal, he took it really well. Craig Gordon was brilliant for them, a good stop from Hedges in the first half then the save from Ramirez in the second half, I’ve no idea how he saved that one.
“So for Marley to stick it past him with that finish, then for Lewis to produce an outstanding header, that’s very pleasing. I’m delighted to score from a set piece again. Allan gets a lot of credit for that too for the work he does on those in training, as do the players for their focus on it.
“Marley was disappointed he didn’t play at Rangers, but we want him on the pitch for the long term. He’s not long back, we need to protect him a bit and three games in a week was a big ask. He was desperate to get back up here and in his performances, he’s shown what it means to him.”
It’s been a good week for the Dons, but with Motherwell to come next weekend, Glass made it very clear that the job has only just started.
“Things have turned pretty quickly, but in football you’re aware how fast it can flip the other way again. It’s important we keep driving the players, but there is also an inner drive in that group of players that I’m delighted with. We’re not getting carried away. We’ve had a good week, but it has to continue next week against Motherwell.”
