Looking Back At Stenhousemuir

“It’s as a I thought at the time. We started the game fine, were snapping about, got the goal after 20 minutes and while we didn’t cause them too many problems in terms of creating chances the possession on the ball was absolutely fine and we were very much in control of the game as we were in the second half. I think what we were guilty of was thinking one goal was enough and were passing up chances. We’ve all been about football long enough and as long as it’s 1-0 the opposition’s always going to have that belief and heart. I thought Stenhousemuir were good enough and earned the replay because they had one moment of opportunity and they took it. We’re disappointed with the goal we lose and disappointed not to have won the game, which we’re expected to win. I remind everyone that the year we won the League Cup we had to play Alloa and won on penalties. Nobody really remembers that and just remember the celebrations and cup scenes afterwards.
“We know every cup tie isn’t straightforward and you’ve seen that already this weekend. I’m disappointed with some aspects of it. I thought we were rusty at times with our decision making, but there’s no criticism of the players approach to the game. It was spot on and the preparation beforehand was spot on. The only thing we didn’t do on Friday was name the team and have an eleven a side and that’s because we were restricted to space and we were hoping Greg Stewart would be involved and were waiting for it to land. Other than not naming the team, the preparation was spot on. The game wasn’t how we expected it, but we’ve got an opportunity in a week’s time to right the wrong from Saturday and that’s what we’ll intend to do.

Match Sharpness

“I watched their game and watched Hearts v Livingston on Sunday and I feel it’s (sharpness) something that is the biggest danger, but I’m not wanting to make excuses, we should still win the game, but I think we’ll be better for having the game after the three week layoff. Hopefully now we can get a wee bit more up to speed in terms of that match sharpness everybody needs. I thought the intensity in the game was fine from us, but it was just our decision making and quality in the final third and if we had that we’d have won the game. There’s a goal at the end of the pitch for a reason and you’ve got to try score more than one to put games to bed and we didn’t do that.”

Resigning Of Max Lowe and Greg Stewart

“We felt we were in a strong position at the start of the month for Max to stay despite Derby’s injuries, but when I spoke to Frank it was clear they needed him back. What’s helped our cause is the fact that Ashley Cole has now went to Derby so it allowed Max and Derby the freedom to come back to us, which we were grateful for. We were actually ready to push the button on another left back and we needed it done one way or another for Max and Derby have allowed us to get one done for the weekend. He was great on Saturday and scored a goal. For him like everybody else he’ll be better for having the game and I’m delighted to have him back for the second half of the campaign.

“We’re delighted to get Greg. To look back on it he did play in the number 10 position a lot for us, but he came to us unfit by his own admission. When we were back into the swing of things for Europe and Ryan Christie was winning that fight to play in that position ultimately. Greg takes a lot of responsibility for that, but I thought he finished the season well with us once he got used to how we worked. He got himself fitter and played more games, but there was always a feeling it could have went better for both of us. In the summer we thought about bringing Greg back and getting him through a pre-season, but we were after Ryan Christie and at the time we thought it was an easier and perhaps cheaper deal to do and we were given encouragement that maybe would be the deal that would get done. While waiting for Ryan, Greg went to Kilmarnock and we ended up missing out on both players and that’s the truth in the matter.

“Now we’ve got him back and it’s Greg that wanted to come back to us, which I think suggests he did enjoy his time with us and he feels he’s got unfinished business here.

“I thought Greg was excellent on Saturday and maybe should have scored a couple of goals, but I don’t mind strikers missing chances as long as they keep getting themselves in there. What I’ve got with Greg is a very confident player and a fit player, because he’s been playing games. I think we’ll reap the benefit of that and that’s what we’re hoping for.

“We asked the question about a permanent deal for Greg and it became clear it was just going to be a loan. We were asked to submit our best offer by lunchtime on Friday, which we did do from Birmingham and we were then told Kilmarnock had matched the offer and it was then up to the player. Greg decided that he wanted to come to us, which was brilliant and great news for us. Now we’ve got him it’s important we try get the most out of him and Greg will commit to this as well. He knows what he wants to do and he wants to finish the season strongly with us and help us with our challenges. Then we’ll see what happens come the end of the season.

“We feel absolutely fine with it and we’re pleased we got the player. I’ve been on the wrong end of it when we’ve put so much into it and you don’t get the player. The fact in the matter was the course of events is how it all played out. At no point did we ever feel comfortable that Greg was coming and we knew when Kilmarnock matched our offer it was up to the player. It shows how much both clubs rated Greg and were keen to get him.”

Other Transfer News

“There’s nothing on that (Lewis Morgan). You have lots of conversations with managers and a lot of these things remain private. Just because you have conversations doesn’t mean you’re linked with players and if there’s anything in it.

“It’s my job to keep looking and to see what’s out there. I’m happy with the squad at the minute and defensively we’re getting the bodies back. Reynolds and Tommie Hoban are still working their way back to full fitness and Devlin’s still not there, but once these three are up to speed we’re quite strong defensively. Midfield options we’re fine, wide options I’m happy with and I’m just looking to get those maximum performances. Now at the top end of the pitch we’ve got Greg Stewart and if the window was to close tomorrow then we’d be happy with how we look. A lot of things are ongoing with players moving out and in and it’s my job and the recruitment team’s job to keep asking enough questions about possibilities.

Hamilton Accies Preview

“The league’s very important to us. We’re at that stage of the season now where we’re on the countdown and that’s the way I look at it. There’s 17 games to go and we want to maximise everything we can in our league campaign. If we’ve got aspirations of keeping ourselves in and around it then we’d be keen to win these types of games. They are always difficult in the Premiership home and away and we’re up against a team who are fighting for their lives. Every three points is a challenge, but the challenge is there for us and the motivation to go win the game is clear.

“We’re Aberdeen and we don’t get complacent playing teams. We never have done and never will do and we’ve suffered a couple of sore ones at Hamilton and we’ve also won their often enough. I never get reminded of the games we won, but Hamilton are a competitive team. They’ve made a couple of signings and Martin will be looking for that impetus from his own team with his own challenges to stay in the league. I really admire a lot of what Hamilton do and what Martin does in particular. They’ve probably got the least resources of all the teams in the league and they find a way to stay in. It’s credit to them and their spirit and the way their work helps them win games. We’re well aware of their strengths.

“When it’s the break lots of clubs are working towards the January window. Martin’s made a couple of signings and I’m pretty sure bringing Tony Andreu and Steven Davis, a player I worked with at Bristol City and I know his equalities, Martin will try to be finding that winning formula as we all do. It’ll be a tough game, but it’s a game we’re looking forward to. I feel we needed Saturday’s game and it’s out the system and want to go bring a level of performance. We need to play well and do a lot of things right to get the three points.

Plastic Pitches

“I can understand from Mark’s (Reynolds) point of view. That’s his own personal opinion on it when he’s asked the question directly. We can all understand the bitterness and anger towards it because we all feel it was maybe a bigger part to play (in the injury). He’s attacked his work well, but it obviously still hankers will him.

“I personally never make any excuses for not performing well on a plastic pitch. We’ve done alright on plastic pitches, but I would echo Mark’s words that there’s evidence there that there’s more injuries on AstroTurf than you do on grass. I feel that AstroTurf pitches should be for other clubs not in the Premiership. My opinion is we should have a top flight with grass pitches, but we’ve now got a quarter of the league with Astroturf and I’m not here to bang the drum for grass pitches it. We’ll deal with it and the importance of the game overtakes everything. It’s not about the pitch or anything else other than just winning the game.

Another Busy Schedule

“I think it helps when you can get some sort of momentum. Sometimes players just prefer playing and getting on with it. As a manager we exposed a few and put a lot of players at risk and picked up more injuries because of it. You can’t deny the results for the majority of December was pleasing. We’ve managed to get ourselves back into a decent position in the league. Hopefully when we come out of those fixtures coming up, we’ll see something similar.

“We’re delighted we’re now back to where we expect to be in terms of points roughly. There’s teams still around us and it shows nobody’s really got away from us. I think that it’s exciting and it bodes well for the league and for everyone to think they might just have an opportunity to get involved in a title run in. I don’t believe we’re there now with 17 games to go, I think it’s too early to say. The evidence is there over 21 games that we’re in amongst it. Hopefully once we get to 30 games, we can approach the run in, still in the mix, at the top end of the table.

Team News

“Connor McLennan’s out unfortunately.

“He reported not feeling great in himself last Friday. He was going to start the game against Stenhousemuir and as a consequence has felt a wee tightness in his hamstring and is just a bit undone. He may miss Saturday’s game as well. It’s nothing too serious, but just enough for him not to be at his best, which we’re disappointed with because he was going along nicely. Mark Reynolds will miss the game as well. We just feel at this earlier stage on his comeback it’s maybe the right decision. It’s not to say it’s a permanent thing or lasting for Astroturf pitches, but for this one we feel he needs to have played more games on grass to get himself up to speed before we expose him to that again.”