Hearts game

“The game had plenty in it.

“Before the game, we had spoken about coming off the back of a European game.

“We wanted a quick start in the match as it is important that you accept that there is maybe going to be a physical element later in the game where the players are not going to be able to produce that energy. Hearts have had all week to prepare for this game. As I said on Thursday, they would have been rubbing their hands after how much we put into that game.

“I wanted to freshen the team up more. Main would have played, Bryson would have played, Devlin or Taylor would have played as well as Wright and Wilson just to bring a bit of freshness to it. I was always concerned that in the later stages of the game it would have an impact.

“The start was really bright from us.

“Our shape, playing round about Hearts shape, I thought we were full of penetration and had a lot of speed and quality. We deservedly get our goal. Sam takes advantage of a bit of hesitation between goalkeeper and defender and it is a nice calm finish.

“I thought we were really in charge of the game then.

“The later stages of the first half, it was the way it is a lot of the time when we play Hearts for whatever reason, it was stop start, there were a lot of fouls and the game did not have any real flow to it.

“The game kind of broke up and I was not enjoying how we played the final 15 minutes of the half.

“It was important during the interval we got back in and got back to how we started the game. I thought we did that I an extent and then Craig makes a couple of really positive substitutions. You see the strength of his bench, you see the strength of Hearts, when they can bring on Naismith and Washington.

“They go 4-4-2 with Naismith tucked in. They get the equaliser off the back of a long throw. We know that Smith has a long throw and we should be dealing with that better but Naismith has done what he has done his whole career, he has gambled and got the goal to give them a lift.

“At that stage we looked a bit unsettled.

“I was a bit concerned about the lack of energy. When you have two centre backs who have played both games and then they have a freshness at the top end of the pitch, it is difficult to content with that.

“We lose a second goal which I though was unnecessary. I thought we could have played it forward in the middle of the park instead of dwelling on it and we never really recovered the situation.

“We had it all to do. Thankfully the two substitutions we made with McGinn and Hedges still had enough time to impact on the game.

“I thought we were brilliant at that stage and I could not be more pleased with my team, when we looked down and out, we carried the fight and dragged ourselves to a win. Even a 2-2 you could forgive my team for thinking that was ok after Thursday night. Instead we looked at how long was left to get the winning goal and thankfully the winning goal comes after a bit of real quality.

“It comes from Greg Leigh being really positive.

“He could easily have rolled a little pass inside and played safe but he takes Jamie Walker on. He gets to the by-line and then he hardy has enough strength for the cross but he is determined and puts it into an area where McGinn gets it into his feet and McGinn and Hedges come up with the rest – that bit of quality that is needed. But if Greg does not have the conviction to take people at that late stage, we do not get the goal. And that is from a boy who has hardy had a pre-season.”

Squad news

“So there were loads of positives today.

“It is a reminder for me that my team, there is a balancing act between Europe and league business. We don’t have the squad that Celtic and Rangers have got.

“I am hopeful that we can get a few more out of the treatment room and available for Thursday and Sunday. Now we can rest down and give the players as much rest as possible before we travel to Croatia on Wednesday and a huge effort will be needed for again for that.

The crowd

“The crowd were brilliant today. They responded not only to the quality of play but also the effort from my team today.

“We have always had teams here who score late winners. It is worth 12 to 15 points in a campaign when you have that wherewithal and determination to keep pushing and pushing and the crowd certainly helped matters today.

“The crowd had an appreciation and understanding that my players were running on empty. But together with the subs, the crowd and a fighting spiriting, it turned out to be a really good afternoon for us.

“You saw Pittodrie at its best – in the sunshine, brilliant atmosphere and fans going home happy with three points.

“Your first win is always important. You just need to get it as quickly as possible. Thankfully we have managed to do that today.”

Ryan Hedges

“I spoke to Ryan, it is important for my wide players to get on the score sheet.

“There are times when I think he could pull the trigger more. We are trying to make him more than just a winger. You see the feeling and the adrenaline that he gets from scoring the winning goal, hopefully that is a drug that he wants more of.

“We have always had a good contribution from our wide players and hopefully that is the first of many from him.”

Jon Gallagher

Gallagher was the catalyst for everything in the early part of the game. The amount of work that he does, it is at such a high intensity and is pretty incredible really. We are aware that can have an impact. We were just away to take him off, he goes on a long lung busting run and gets to the by-line again. He has bags of spirit and he is a proper fit boy.”

Sam Cosgrove

“Hedges, Gallagher, McGinn, Wilson, Wright and Anderson, they all played their part in that forward area. But Cosgrove for me was outstanding.

“Not only did he lead the line brilliantly but to get two goals against that level of opposition, everyone of their centre backs knew they were up against a proper centre forward. There was a calmness with his feet, he is almost Rooney like with penalties, but his overall performance was outstanding.

Scott McKenna

“As it stands now, he will be on the plane on Thursday and playing for us. “Scott has had a lot to content with the last few games but his performance levels have been great.

“It is like any selling club when they have got good players, it is up to the buying club to make my Chairman and our Board think differently.

“As it stands at the moment, if there is no more action or no more bids, Scott will remain with us.

“I think there was a fresh bid from QPR, there may also have been a written offer from Notts Forrest on Friday, but clearly it was not enough. I think it was maybe a slight increase on what was originally offered, maybe structured in a certain way, but it was not enough for the club to accept.”

Calvin Ramsay

“I could not register him for Europe because he was only 15.

“He did not turn 16 till Wednesday. In pre-season he as impressed. He is a defender who can play midfield as well, but he gives us a bit of cover at right back. He was there on merit today and he will be part of the European squad now that he has managed to turn 16. It is the first time I have ever written 2003 on my team sheet! Which highlights how young he is. He is doing away fine.”

“He did not turn 16 till Wednesday. In pre-season he as impressed. He is a defender who can play midfield as well, but he gives us a bit of cover at right back. He was there on merit today and he will be part of the European squad now that he has managed to turn 16. It is the first time I have ever written 2003 on my team sheet! Which highlights how young he is. He is doing away fine.”