First half

“The conditions and the pitch do not make it easy to bring a tempo to the game, but we know that.

“It is not an excuse for our first half performance.

“Kilmarnock played the game the way it should have been played in the first half, they were far more aggressive, first to every ball, they played forward and played pressure football which got them into our box. They forced mistakes. I have not seen the penalty back, Bobby Madden has, and he is pretty sure he got it right. Shay’s reaction would maybe confirm that.

“If I was a scout watching us first half, I would struggle to find out what we were actually trying to do.

“We were half hearted with our passing, we were half hearted with our working in behind, we did not engage with our front two enough. The only one at half time who was bringing any level of performance and playing the game in the right manner was Ferguson. So we then move him down one and put May on. I thought he was terrific when he came on and occupied the defenders. He worked hard for us and got us up the pitch.”

Second half

“I thought the mindset of the players, and it was something we spoke about at half time, it had to change. We were not brilliant second half, there was not suddenly flashes of quality everywhere – the one bit of quality came from Lewis. But what it was, at least we gave ourselves the chance to win a game.

“The second half was how an Aberdeen team needs to play – more aggressive, more energy, more occupying central defenders – and I thought May and Anderson did very well.

“When Bruce gets the equaliser, I was not sure if we had run out of time to go and win it. May and Shinnie do well in the build up to the free kick and then I was looking for that bit of quality to win the game and the quality comes from Lewis and we get all three points.

“No more than we deserved in the end, but it was the second half performance that got us the result, the first half performance was not going to get the job done. That is the Aberdeen team I need to see more often, the one in the second half. If we bring that to proceedings more, we might just win a cup, we might just meet our expectations this year.”

Character

“The response was there at half time.

“That is what you are always hoping for and what you expect and what I have come to expect from my teams. Nonetheless, it is reassuring to know that it is there.

“It was there at Tynecastle, we just gave ourselves too much to do after that first half, but we go and win the second half but don’t get the result. Today was different. We brought a more complete performance in the second half. We had to fight for everything and had to work. And that is how it has top be when you come to places like this. Especially on that surface, you have to play more of the percentage (football).

“At least I know if I was a scout doing a report on Aberdeen in the second half, I can see exactly what we were trying to do. And that is the intent we need to play at more often.”

This week

“I am pleased. (with today)

“I am still pleased with what the players have given me today. It was a big win last week when no one gave us any chance of winning at Hampden. We have won that one and we have a final to look forward to. We had a very convincing win on Wednesday, littered with moments of real quality – a tricky game that could have been a lot trickier than it was, and then we played for 45 minutes today and we get a result. So all in all a good weeks work – six points and a cup final.

“We spoke about the importance of this week last Saturday and we have come out of it in good shape. Hopefully we can have more good weeks ahead. Hopefully we go into the cup final in good form.”

Niall

“I spoke with Niall (about his reaction when he came off). He is disappointed with himself more than anything. He was disappointed with his performance and maybe not getting into the game the way he wanted. I don’t expect players to be jumping through hoops when they get substituted.”

Lewis Ferguson

“He has been asked to play three different roles, even today he goes from being a number 10, getting close to Wilson in the first half, to a number 8, playing flat alongside Shinnie.

“In the first half he was winning more headers than anyone else. In the second half he wins more tackles than anyone else. He got us going forward and then he comes up with the freekick.

“Against Hamilton in midweek, with their shape, he played predominantly a sitting role in front of the centre halfs and ran the game. I spoke to Martin Canning afterwards and he said he never really saw Lewis playing that position, controlling the game, but said he did on Wednesday.

“So he can do a bit of everything. I could play him anywhere on the pitch and get some level of performance.

“For me he is best as an attacking midfielder and I think he will score important goals as he has done this week.

“A lot of youngsters can get carried away with themselves (when they are doing well) but his temperament has never been in question. He is a man and not a boy. Nothing fazes him. He takes responsibility. There is a maturity about him that I love.

“I do know what I am going to get. Some days are better than others, but he always brings a performance.

“When the game needed a bit more responsibility today, he was there. He was the only player that brought a 90 minute performance for me today. I know what I am getting from him and you need those types of players in the team. You need players who every week are getting 7 or 8 out of 10. The last couple of games he has be 10 out of 10.

“It was a big move for him, from Hamilton to Aberdeen with the greatest of respect, in terms of expectation and also dealing with the transfer tribunal.

“It is not always easy to play for Aberdeen. There is a lot required on you.

“He was not concerned by it and was not fazed by the extra exposure he had this week. But I think it is important we don’t all expect to much from him.”

Bruce Anderson

“I was pleased with Bruce’s overall game when he came on.

“In terms of linking the play and working back in at the right times. I thought he and Stevie May really occupied the centre halfs well. Ultimately it is about putting the ball in the net and it was only a half chance at best – with the outside of his boot. He is probably the best striker at this club for taking those half chances. But he also did the other things well today, leading the line, doing the right things, holding it up. He done all that as well as getting the all important goal.

“Two young players made the difference for us in terms of getting the goals. I am delighted for Bruce because I know how important it is for him to do well for Aberdeen. He loves the club and it was great for to get that goal today.”

Scotland

“I know how important it is for my players to be in the Scotland squad and if they play, I think they can do a job for Alex. We have several who have been in and about it. I would never say that I expect them to be in it, hopefully if they are in the squad they can get that important game time that will make it worthwhile for them.

“Lewis will play for Scotland one day. The boy was born to play football and he was born to play on the big occasion. Everything will come his way in time.”