After scoring his first league goal for the Dons, Dante Polvara made it two in two games as the midfielder put in another brilliant performance.

“I nearly kept my record of only having scored one league goal! I think I got a little too excited early on in the game.

“It was good motivation for me after a miss like that. It is all about how you respond. I knew that if I kept putting myself in those positions, I would get another chance and I think I had two more before I did score.

“I could not believe for the free kick that they left me open. Leighton Clarkson and I are good mates off the pitch and we have good chemistry on it. He had just come on, and I was looking at him and he was looking at me. We tried to sell it that the ball was going to be going across and coming back in but he slipped the pass to me and then I just had to hit it hard, which is what you have to do when you are at the near post and see what happens.

“I was happy to score, but I was even happier to see some of the other boys score. I was happy for Graeme as he has not played as many games recently as he would have liked and happy for Junior as he has been assisting everyone else. Two goals and two assists – he is a class guy and an even better player. It is amazing playing with him and learning from him. I have been playing on the left the last few games with him and I think we have developed a good connection. You know that you can give him the ball and leave him out there because he does not need the support. When a team are man marking, it is great to have a player who can create space for himself.

“And I was pleased for Fletcher. He enjoyed his goal and celebration. And at least he did not have Duk grabbing him this time! It was the icing on the cake. I did say to him it does get a little bit harder than this! But I am just buzzing for him.

“Obviously for Jonny and what he’s done for me personally it’s sad and I nearly started crying when we gave him the guard of honour. I was like ‘come on man, you’re going to make me tear up’ as we’ve been through a lot together.

“With him going and with the others’ contract situation I’ll be one of the longest serving players still here. That’s crazy to think about. I guess I’ve stuck around somehow but that’s the reality of football. I’ll be excited for them whatever is next and especially for them you want to end well. You don’t want to go away with that bitter feeling.”

“It was a good test of our character after the VAR decision.

“I walked it at half time and apologised to the boys, as did a few others. But we knew we had been playing well and the message was just to put away the chances. We had to keep the same energy, forward passes, movement, keep trusting each other and really just keep having fun and be being confident. I think that showed at the end – everyone was enjoying it.

“It was nice as we have had less of those days as we would have liked. It was a good way to finish our home games. The fans deserved something good. I hope they enjoyed it. We have to keep the momentum and get everyone excited for next season.

“On Sunday, Ross County will obviously be pushing for the result to secure their survival which is probably good. You would rather have that than a game that means nothing to end the season. We will definitely want to go there and win to end with five in the row and they will be fighting to stay in the league.

“It’s always interesting going up there any way as we take a big support and I’m looking forward to it. We’ve done well against them this season but teams are made by moments like at Hibs last weekend. They were doing well against us early on then Leighton Clarkson puts one in the corner and changes everything.

“Sometimes the ball bounces your way and that’s maybe what’s happened against County this year. But they have been tough to play against for the entire time I’ve been here and I would expect nothing less on Sunday.”

“For me personally, it is impossible to play your best when you just get the chance to jump in every few weeks. If you look at the basics of fitness you won’t be as sharp so playing more regularly helps the body and boosts confidence.

“That can make an average player amazing or a lack of it make an amazing player underperform. I’ve seen it with myself in the past and with other guys here as well as in the top leagues. Confidence is everything and the way Peter wants to play is something I’ve taken a liking to. I’ve had to push to play and I’m just really enjoying it now that I’ve got the chance. I know it’s only been a few games and they don’t matter as much as we would have liked. But since playing in the Celtic semi-final I feel these matches have got the best out of me.”

Gallery 53 | Aberdeen v Livingston