MIKEY LAPS UP PAYBACK

MIKEY DEVLIN admitted the sweat and toil to battle back from injury was worth it after helping Aberdeen reach the Betfred Cup Final.

And the 1-0 Hampden win over Rangers on Sunday completed a dream month for the defender after earning his first Scotland call-up for the friendly against Portugal.

Devlin was awarded the official man of the match award against the Light Blues and it capped a big October for the 25-year-old and a huge turnaround in the last 12 months.

Last term was wiped out due to a cruciate injury suffered while at Hamilton but he moved to Pittodrie mid-season and completed his rehabilitation in the north east.

Devlin is now getting his rewards with Alex McLeish in the stand to watch his impressive display alongside Scott McKenna ahead of November’s crucial Nations League double-header against Albania and Israel.

The Dons face Celtic in the Final and after the win Devlin said: “I told myself before the game this is what you go through the rehab for.

“It was very special and these are the occasions you try to work towards.

“Having a long-term injury maybe makes you savour it a bit more.”

Devlin says being involved with the Scotland squad has given him a hunger for more.

He said: “It’s got to whet your appetite for more. It came after a few injuries to boys but that’s sometimes how you get your chance.”