Our eyes are on the prize
PITTODRIE LATEST Tansey: I don’t care what the manager says, we’re out to win the title
GREG TANSEY will leave others to argue whether Aberdeen can stay in the title fight or be left facing a scrap for second. But the midfielder insisted the Dons have the squad to make sure they will be in the battle at the business end of the Premiership. Gaffer Derek McInnes claimed on the eve of the season that the title was almost guaranteed to be staying at Celtic Park given the champions’ resources. Celts finished 30 points ahead of Aberdeen last term and McInnes’s realistic target is to take a chunk out of the gap and remain the best of the rest. But Tansey said: “I don’t really look at anything like that. People have their own opinions. All we can do is bounce back from the defeat on Thursday. “Every time we play we look to pick up three points. We feel with our squad and the size of this club we should be competing at the top end definitely.” Tansey admitted the pain of Aberdeen’s Europa League exit in Cyprus last week at the hands of Apollon Limassol will be fuelling their domestic charge. Getting off to a Premiership flier against Hamilton on Sunday was a decent start and Tansey admitted a successful campaign is the best way to bury the disappointment. He said: “Everyone takes stock. You talk about it. We care as players. It is only natural that you care. Everyone is hurting after Thursday night. “We still are and the only way to bounce back is to pick three points up on the pitch. What’s the best way to get over it? With a win.
“By making a statement in the league early in the next couple of games. We have a cup competition on Wednesday against Hamilton again.
“It won’t be easy but the only way to deal with a disappointment like that is to bounce back on the pitch.”
Aberdeen face Accies again tomorrow night at the Superseal Stadium in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup and Tansey is determined to push all the way for silverware.
He is still trying to establish himself at Pittodrie following his summer arrival from Inverness and is determined to nail down a regular role despite the fierce fight for places.
He was in the starting line up in the league opener and provided the sweet free-kick to tee up Anthony O’Connor for Aberdeen’s first goal against Accies.
He said: “I have found when you join a club it takes a couple of weeks to get used to the place, get used to the new players and bed yourself in.
“That is definitely what I intend to do, that is what I can bring to the team, assists and a few goals. I will try to play my part on and off the ball.”
Hamilton didn’t hold back at Pittodrie on Sunday and Tansey is expecting another bruising encounter in the cup clash.
The midfielder said: “Hamilton certainly work hard for each other and put themselves about.
That is how they stay in the league. Hamilton away, on their pitch, isn’t an easy place to go.” UEFA have charged Aberdeen for fan trouble and failing to supply stewards with their support in last Thursday’s defeat to Apollon Limassol.
The Cypriots are also in the dock for missile throwing and picking up more than five bookings in the tie. UEFA will hear the case on August 17.