Quotes from the media conference and his redtv interview is available on the red button

“They needed some sort of encouragement and support.

“Half time came at a good time for us and I actually thought we started the game really well.
We played on the outside of Kilmarnock’s shape and Steve had them set up that suits counter attacking. They were very strong through the middle and I thought in the initial part of the game we had good switches of play, with some good crosses into the box. We forced four or five corners in that opening period and we looked quite threatening off the back of them, but never quite got the goal.

“Then we lost a poor goal and we lost our way for a 15-minute spell towards the end of the first half.

“We were guilty of giving them more encouragement and we were too ponderous and safe through our passes. We were playing in the wrong areas of the pitch and the players needed reminded at half time about what we were setting out to do. We had a little tweak tactically and played McGinn through the middle with McLean wide right just to try and get more rhythm into the game and Niall’s movement in the central area dragged the Kilmarnock back four as in the first half they were having in too easy.

“We just wanted to play beyond them and I thought we were magnificent in the second half. We got good goals, but from start to finish in that second half it was everything I wanted in terms of intensity. We reminded the players about all the doubters at half time and those who would be doubting Aberdeen and taking pleasure from that, so it was important we responded. I’m absolutely delighted that I’ve got the group of players I’ve got. They weren’t getting much help and the response and togetherness they showed in that second half was magnificent.

“People will remember Scott’s goal and rightly so.

“I spoke last Saturday about Mackay-Steven’s goal against St Mirren and as good as that was, and I said you wouldn’t see a better goal all season up here, but one week later we have. It probably tells you where his game is at the moment and how confident he is to take it on. The wind was difficult for both sets of players, but we had that wind behind us in the second half and it’s still gathering speed as it’s flew by MacDonald. It literally has nearly burst the net. It was a magnificent strike. He’s probably the only one when he stepped onto it thought about having the shot but it was the right decision and thankfully he made that decision. His overall game was magnificent, and I thought the quality of his own strike and performance was great like everybody in the second half.

“But like every good performance you need good star players within that and McGinn for me was the star of the show in the second half. We’ve been cautious with him and people tell me that he’s not played a game in months and we’ve tried to work him up to speed, but you can only hold somebody with that quality back for so long. It’s a credit to him and you see how happy he is when he scores his goal and when he comes off the feeling he has for everybody is mutual.

“Scott is really refreshing and just a level-headed boy who loves his football. McKenna has always been one since he’s came on full-time who’s helped clean the bus, help the kit man, sits and has a cup of tea with the staff and is just an old school centre half. He plays the game the way we want to see defenders play. There’s an honesty about him and that’s why we’re all so pleased for him, because he’s earned it and worked hard for everything he’s getting at the minute. He recognises he’s only just starting out his career and him getting a move in the future will be on the back of 150 games for Aberdeen hopefully and getting that experience and hopefully also from European football, big games like semi-finals and cup finals. He’s on his way to having a really good career and he doesn’t get too excited about it and that’s part of the attraction about him.

“We spoke again to Hull last night just to reinforce the message loud and clear – we don’t want any other offers. There’s no point anybody offering in January. I understand why as every club has got their reasons to show supporters that they’re trying to make new signings, but he will be our player when this window closes.

“I was really pleased with Danny Rogers and it could have been a real impact losing Joe as he’s such a key player for us, but Danny on his full debut acquitted himself really well. He had a great save at 3-1 and you never know how important that is when it gets into the dying embers of the game. It was difficult conditions for both sets of players, particularly goalkeepers and he did very well. We’re looking to bring a ‘keeper in and it’s something that wasn’t predicted, but we’re fortunate it happened in a transfer window where we get a bit more options put towards us. We’ll focus on one or two and hopefully land them by Wednesday.

“Ryan Christie was touch and go for midweek from a challenge he had against St Mirren late on. Just prior to Joe Lewis being injured the other night, he took a bang and his knee blew up again. We had to use the third sub with the goalkeeper and he stayed on, but his knee has had a bit of swelling. We initially thought he was going to be ok and he did a bit of running on Friday, but he reported this morning and it’s still not where we need it to be. Hopefully he’ll be ok for Wednesday and I’m pretty sure he will be.”