Derek McInnes, Jamie Langfield, Ryan Jack, Joe Shaughnessy

Scottish Premiership | Sunday 11th August 2013 | Motherwell v Aberdeen | Venue: Fir Park Stadium | Kick off: 3.00pm

Derek McInnes

I think each week brings a different challenge and every manager up and down the country is just looking to get the first three points on the board. We’ve managed to do that and we got a good performance to go along with that so we go into the game against Motherwell in a good frame of mind and I think it’s important that we recognise that the game we face away from home will be another challenge for us.

We’re expecting a full tilt Motherwell to come at us on Sunday and hopefully they can expect the same. It’s not about the opposition for us. We respect the opposition but for us it’s about making sure we try and win the game ourselves and I want the responsibility for that to fall on me and my team.

Traditionally the away support has always been there. It’s great for the players when they run out and see they are being well backed by our fans who are trying to do their bit for club. We recognise who we are playing for every time we step on to the pitch so if we can send them home happy that’s brilliant.

Everybody is fit. Barry Robson took a wee knee knock in the first half against Kilmarnock and hasn’t had full training but he’ll be fine for Sunday so no other concerns. Andy Considine played 90 minutes for the Under 20’s earlier this week so he’ll be back so the only one missing is Chris Clark. I think Andy has a wee bit to go before he can say with any confidence he is back and ready to play for the first team but he’s certainly not as far away as he was even last week.

RedTV | the managers media conference in full please click here

Jamie Langfield

“It was not just the result. The performance was a big plus. It showed how strong the boys were and how fit they were and how good a pre-season we have had. But it is only one result so no one is getting carried away. There is a lot of hard work ahead. Fir Park has always been a tough venue to get a result at since my time at the club. You know what we are up against. They run for 90 minutes and work very hard for each other. They put you under a lot of pressure. They have lost some players but Stuart McCall has recruited really well and they have some real quality all over the park.

“But I think we now have boys who can unlock the door at the other end and we can score goals to help us get the three points.

“I don’t think Motherwell’s European result will have any bearing on Sunday.

“We always take a great away support. Even during the second half of last season when results dipped we were still taking a huge number to away grounds. The support we get really does help you. Their support means a lot to the players.

“I have said before I never see myself as the number one here. There have always been two goalkeepers playing for the one position. It is up to me to train as hard as I possibly can and in games play to my full potential. Nicky has come in. He is a great goalkeeper and a great guy as well. Competition all over the pitch is what we at this club. I am up for the challenge.

RedTV | Jamie’s interview in full please click here

Ryan Jack

“I thought overall as a team last Saturday we played very well. I thought we deserved the three points. I think we gave the fans what they wanted, a good performance and a good start to the season. We created lots of chances and on another day we could have scored four or five. The manager said the most important thing was to go out and take the game to them and get the three points. The manager stressed to us that we needed to go out and be positive to get the fans onside.

“It was great to play alongside Willo and Barry. We started to build up an understanding in the pre-season games and it was good to get our first competitive game together under our belts. At half time Tony Docherty told Willo and myself that he wanted one of us to get a goal. He made a great run and scored a great header. As a midfield I thought we did well.

“For the away games the manager may look at the team and pick certain players to play against certain teams but overall as a team I think we be positive at home and away. We are not going to sit back and let teams come onto us. I think it is important with the players and the squad we have that we take the game to teams.

“Fir Park is always a difficult venue to go to and it will be a very hard game. All the boys though are looking forward to the challenge. I know we will be taking a good support down and the fans really help us. When there is a good atmosphere it really helps the players and gets us going. We want to do our best for the fans and the club.

“I have the Motherwell game to take care of first so I have not thought too much about the Scotland U21 v England U21 game. Clark and myself are both really looking forward to the match. I believe they have sold 20,000 tickets for our game already so it should be a great experience.

RedTV | Ryan’s interview in full please click here

Joe Shaughnessy

“Motherwell have been playing really well in recent seasons. Last season they were excellent and finished second even although no one expected it. They played really well, played some good football and had some very good players. Every game we played against them last season was tough. I think a good number of the games finished as draws if I remember correctly. I know their squad has changed a bit this season with players leaving and new players coming in, but it is always a tough place to go.

“It is a venue that will always have happy memories for me as I scored my first ever senior goal there! It was a great feeling. I still remember jumping over the advertising boards to go and celebrate with the fans, forgetting the Aberdeen supporters were actually up on the top deck!

“I thought we played very well in our first home game against Kilmarnock. We created a lot of chances. Niall could have had a few, so could Josh and I could have scored a couple. It is a good thing that we are creating those chances. It is something we did not do enough of last season. We did not create enough and we were relying on Niall to score. It was nice to win without Niall scoring for a change! It is important we get goals from all over the pitch.

“I think we created more chances by getting the ball forwarded quicker. We have a lot of pace in the squad with Niall, Jonny, Josh, Peter and Gregg. They are all so quick and there are not a lot of defences that would be able to handle three or four quick players running at them. To utilise that pace you need players who can play them in and time their passes and with Willo, Barry and Ryan we have midfielders who can do that.

Whilst Ryan jack and Clark Robertson are away with the Scotland U21s for the game against England in Sheffield Joe will travel with the Ireland U21 squad to the Faroe Islands.

“I have been in touch with Gilli Sorensen who plays for the Faroe Islands. Hallur Hanson is also involved in the International set up but plays for the senior team. It will be good to catch up with Gilli again. Both are playing for Aalborg in Denmark so it is good to see them both doing well.”

Please note change of referee for the following match:

Referee: John Beaton

AR1: Billy Baxter

AR2: Stuart MacMillan

4th Official: Kevin Graham