“I got asked before the game about a mini crisis because we had one win and two draws in the last three games, I think we have had one defeat in nineteen league games now. It was important to bring a better performance, we realised that Saturday wasn’t good enough and I think from the first minute that was clear how determined the players were to get all three points tonight.

“It was important playing against a team, who have shown real consistency this season and are our biggest challengers for that second spot, to get three points and get that bit of distance between us because they are a team that are capable of maintaining that consistency.

“We knew that we had to deal with our own business tonight and I think from the first minute to the last we really deserved it, we knocked them out of their stride and they never really got their passing game going and I thought we were very aggressive with our work and to a man were outstanding.

“The players showed how much they want to win games and they have shown that all season.

“There is still a place for real experience in football, everybody talks about youngsters and energy and playing a certain way but Barry (Robson) has been eager to play games and we felt this was the right time for him to come in. We have felt over the last two or three weeks he has been looking terrific in training and that knowhow even in the last ten minutes tonight when he was turning the ball in behind them, playing in the right areas and keeping the ball in the corner for us.

“He was also running with the ball and winning free-kicks, he was organising and I thought him and Willo in there were an outstanding two. The three boys ahead of that two, Peter, Jonny and Niall worked extremely hard to nullify Inverness’ threat and also still carry that threat for us. It’s a good day’s work all in all but it is right to mention the contribution from Barry.

“We made a few changes, sometimes managers make changes based on gut and instinct and I felt it was the right thing to bring Scott back in. Scott never had much to do but he was aggressive when he came out for a couple of crosses, corners and his kicking was excellent throughout the night, he was very assured in everything he did.

“I think it says a lot about our players that there has been a feeling of disappointment hanging around us since the Celtic game, they need reminded that finishing second is something that they should be really proud of and I think the fact that the players have had a hangover from that has meant the performance levels in the previous three games haven’t been good enough.

“I think it says a lot about the players that second is seen as a disappointment to them and I had to remind them that it isn’t from where this club has been.

“We will improve our points tally from last season and everybody was raving about us last season so there is a lot to be pleased about and sometimes the players and everybody needs reminded of that.

“There has been a lot of good teams have played over the last 21 years at Aberdeen so to be the first team to finish second within that period would be a good achievement but we have still got work to do. We would have done it last season bar a refereeing decision but we weren’t convincing with our work towards the end of last season and it’s important that we are convincing towards the end of this season.

“I think as an Aberdeen player the demand is always there to try and win and do well and that’s what we will try to do between now and the end of the season.”