Dons left-back Max relieved crocked Andy is ok but he’s still determined to steal his place
MAX LOWE is relieved Andrew Considine is okay but will show him no mercy in the fight to land the left-back slot at Aberdeen.
The on-loan Derby defender was the main beneficiary as he came on and played his part in the Betfred Cup semi-final triumph over Rangers after Considine had been stretchered off with a neck injury.
Considine has been ruled out of tonight’s clash with Hamilton and that will open the door for Lowe to start and he aims to keep a hold of the jersey.
Lowe said: “It is squad game and Andy and I understand it is all healthy competition.
“I am happy Andy is okay. He will be pushing me and I will be pushing him.
“To come on in a game like that, in a semi-final, is massive in my development as a young player.
“To perform the way we did topped it off really.
“It was a new experience playing against Rangers, first of all, never mind in a semi-final. We now look forward to the Hamilton game and there are a lot more games to come before the Final.”
The defender came up on loan to get some big-game experience before he returns to Frank Lampard’s Derby.
He has already experienced Wembley, via the League One play-off final defeat with Shrewsbury against Rotherham – but admitted Sunday’s Hampden heroics topped the lot.
The 21-year-old said: “That was a big experience but it wasn’t like Sunday for the atmosphere and what it means to the fans.
“The manager mentioned it before the game and the feeling after it made you feel what football is all about. I haven’t witnessed anything like it. It is down to the fans.
Lowe wants to make full use of the semi-final win over Gers to push Dons back up the league.
He said: “Sunday was a huge BY SCOTT BURNS benchmark for what we can perform like.
“We need to do the same tonight, take the three points and go again.
“Hopefully we can push up the table. We want to build up some good momentum going into the cup final.
“Players like Gary MackaySteven and James Wilson are starting to score goals and we need those players confident, so we can play on the front foot.”
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is looking for three points against Hamilton tonight in a clash that sees Lewis Ferguson and Mikey Devlin come up against their former side.
McInnes knows the part Accies have played in the pair’s development can’t be underestimated.
He said: “It was great that after the semi-final win, Lewis mentioned the influence George Cairns had on him at Hamilton after being rejected by Rangers.
“It’s a great story for so many youngsters who are deemed not good enough and can be crestfallen after not making the grade somewhere.
“They can lose confidence in that situation but it shows that if people believe in you then you can go and find your level to bounce back.
“Lewis recognises that and Mikey knows as well.
“And when you speak to Martin Canning, Les Gray and Ronnie McDonald at Hamilton, they always wax lyrical about how good those lads were.
“I’m sure there will be a bit more emotion in the game for them – but Hamilton are trying to get three points for their club and we will be determined to win as well.
“Mikey and Lewis have a big part to play for us in making sure that happens.”