The Manager | Post Match Quotes from Fir Park

Quotes from the Managers post match media conference at Fir Park:

“I think we more than ground out the win.

“I thought we were excellent.

“We imposed ourselves as the away team against a side we have a very high regard for, especially after watching their last couple of games here.

“There was a lot on it (the result) tonight for both teams and it was important that we found a way to win. I was pleased with the way we approached the game from the outset. We competed, we nullified the threat of the centre forward – I thought the two centre backs and O’Connor were fantastic. That gave us a foothold in the game. (With the ball) We played and passed it. I think the players enjoyed the surface. It was heavy but there was plenty of grass on it. There was a bit of speed in the pitch and we enjoyed that.

“The one thing we asked for at half time was to try and find a bit more quality and have a bit more thought in the final third. I thought we did not work the keeper enough (in the first half) when we got into some good areas.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes on the touchline. (photo SNSGroup)

“We were competitive enough to get ourselves into those areas and we were good enough in possession of the ball. I just thought we were a bit rushed and were slashing at shots rather than giving it a bit more thought.

“Motherwell started the second half better.

“They made a change and we did not come out of the traps for the first ten minutes. But once we got the goals we looked comfortable and it looked like we would get the win. That says a lot for the players concentration against a team who are as competitive as any team in the league.

“It ended up a good win for us, a cleansheet and two good goals. The second goal showed the quality that is in the team. The little combination between Stewart and McLean was brilliant. The quality of the delivery for Arnason’s goal as well and it was also a great header from Kari.

“It was a good night’s work against a team who have made it difficult for us in the past and made it difficult for any team to play.

“We are confident in ourselves. Regardless of what has happened up to now. This is the stage of the season which everyone remembers. People remember how you finish a season rather than how you start one.

“We are where we normally are at this stage of the season. We have normally secured Europe by now, we have in the past secured second spot (by now). It is clear to see that it is going to be a real challenge this season. Hibs are doing brilliantly under Neil, Rangers have got some very good players there and you would expect them to be the team closest to Celtic after what they have spent rather than Hibs or ourselves. But I think all three teams, with six games to go, will being doing all they can to finish second. It is important for us to finish in a European spot. It is important for us to try and finish second. We are proud of having finished second in previous seasons. Some people say it is easy, but if it is that easy why has no one else done it?

“Last season everyone said with Rangers coming back up we would get pushed a side. That was not the case. This season we are determined to fight tooth and nail to be the next best team if Celtic are going to win it.

“I can’t really take a lot from tonight (going) into the cup game. I think the players level of performance was good. I don’t think we can take anything from the fact we were playing Motherwell. Regardless of who we were playing tonight, the performance was good. The two teams will be completely different (at Hampden). They will be missing their captain and we are going to be missing our captain and Kenny McLean and Shay Logan. So my team will be entirely different.

“It was just good to win another game and get a clean sheet. “We are in good form at the minute. Next week is very important for us. Regardless of what team gets picked, it is an important game for us and an opportunity to get the club into another cup final.

“I have had more than enough of being linked with jobs during my time here. The (WBA) job is an easy link for people to make. It is only a rumour. I am not going to spend the next six, seven weeks of the season talking about speculation. My job is here at Aberdeen and we have a lot to look forward to this season.

“Kari is ok. He has a cut under his chin. It was from a tackle from Shinnie. It was probably a booking for Shinnie, but he probably for once got off as it was his own player!

“Kari did really well tonight. There were a lot of good performances out there.”