DEREK McINNES

“Really pleased.

“Frustrated last week after we felt we squandered two points at home so it was important we tried to make up for that today by getting the three points.

“I watched St Johnstone’s game against Rangers last week and I thought they were very good. I know they have had a tough run of fixtures of late and going into the Rangers game they have suffered a few defeats, but I thought they were very good last weekend. 

“We knew the difficulty of the task coming here.

“I thought they started better than us. I thought we were a bit limp in some of the challenges. It was important that we quickened our minds up and played the game at the level we needed to play at.

“I thought once we got the first goal, although we were not comfortable, comfortable is the wrong word, but I thought we were in charge of the game. St Johnstone then needed to change. Tommy went 4-4-2 and we dealt with that. It allowed us more space to work and we were kicking ourselves that we did not get that second goal before we did.

“When Shinnie scores it, it was a very good finish off his natural side, from then on in we looked like a very experienced team and managed the game. Connor and Greg were fitness doubts and only passed fitness tests this morning, so we got them off and then Gary off and the three subs helped us get the job done.

“A cleansheet, three points, and a very good performance; we could not ask for any more.

“You are never going to get in easy here. St Johnstone are one of the most competitive teams in the league, and have been for a long time. There is a pride about them. Tommy went 4-2-4 with Kennedy, Swanson, Watt and Henry. There is an intent there to get something from the game. They never gave it up. So it is pleasing we have been able to stifle that and get our clean sheet.

“Seven straight wins away from home, equalling a club, and when they think of some of the great teams that have been at our club, it says a lot about the players and their desire to win every game.

“Today was another big victory.

“When you start to run out of league games then you need to maximise everything you have got for your season and it was important we had to make up for last week.

 
 

Graeme Shinnie

“There have been one or two games since the break that he has not been at his level.

“Understandably he has a lot to consider at the moment and a lot to think about. But what is clear is his pride in being an Aberdeen player, his love of being an Aberdeen captain and the admiration of the supporters towards him and from him to towards them. There is a connection there.

“My relationship with my Graeme is as strong as it has ever been with any player. I would not swap him for anyone. He is someone who I have a real trust in as a person as well as my captain.

“We are hanging onto that really. He has a lot to consider and he has a young family. He is an ambitious boy, but hopefully all these things I have mentioned will play a part and influence his decision.

“Hopefully he will continue to be an Aberdeen player.

Dom Ball

“He is a boy who I have brought it a lot of times against Rangers and Celtic and he always gives me a level of performance. Right back is not his natural position but he can play it and he has done it well for us before. One or two games he has maybe been a bit exposed, but I thought his performance was testament to him and his professionalism by making sure he was ready.

“He gives us some more height in the box and he had a part to play in both goals. He dealt well with Kennedy and Swanson who are both good players as well as having the calmness and composure to break forward.

“His performance was very good today.”

Free Agent?

“We are looking at the possibility of getting another defender in (a free agent), whether it is a right back, centre back or whatever, but with Tommie and Shay needing surgery it is important we try and get another player in.

“We will get McKenna back for Wednesday which hopefully helps us a bit in terms of numbers. We were really stretched as a squad today but McKenna coming back helps and the performance of Dom was a real positive.

“Tommie is out for the season. Shay might not be out for the season, best case scenario he is out for seven or eight weeks so hopefully there are still key games left for him to be involved in at the end of the season. Hopefully there is still a cup final for him to look forward to. These are big games we aspire to.”