Stevie: Cos and me have come on a ton through festive fixture mayhem

STEVIE MAY is adamant Aberdeen’s gruelling December has been the making of his blossoming partnership with Sam Cosgrove.

The Pittodrie striker and his sidekick have been instrumental in the Dons’ push towards the summit of the Premiership.

May and Cosgrove have hammered nine goals this month for the Pittodrie side during a resurgence.

Both had been criticised prior to the busy spell due to lack of a scoring touch yet have turned the corner in impressive fashion. Cosgrove has weighed in with seven of the combined tally but May has also played a big role with his confidence and fitness building.

The strike duo have given Aberdeen fresh threat and the former St Johnstone and Sheffield Wednesday attacker believes it’s due to more time together on the pitch and less time on the training field.

May said: “The amount of games has helped us both. Not thinking and just getting back into games. The training we’ve done has been pretty minimal, just recovery and back into a game. When you’re a partnership that’s successful then it gets easier, so it’s a real bonus.

“As a team we’ve created a lot more chances. It’s something we’ve been working on. That’s a bonus as well. It’s just disappointing the three goals weren’t enough to win the Celtic game.

“But it’s good. It has suited both of us in different ways. Sam has been on fire so it’s a credit to him kicking on like that.”

The contributions of May and Cosgrove have complemented other outstanding efforts within the group.

The defeat by Celtic was frustrating yet the manner of the loss remained positive. Aberdeen pushed Celtic to the limit before going down in a seven-goal thriller and May said: “It’s tough to take. We worked c.swan@dailyrecord.co.uk

STEVIE MAY CRAIG SWAN

hard and probably just didn’t do what we had to late in the game. We were a bit slack when we were trying to get back in the game which made it really hard.

“For large spells we did a lot of things right and there are a lot of positives to take, it’s just disappointing how the game ended.

“We’ve had a of games recently and it was always going to get tougher as the game went on. They’re champions, that’s usually what happens in close games, they’ll get the better of it. It’s something we need to work towards.

“The matches have been close, closer than a couple of years ago, so we’re making progress. Considering where we were about a month ago, we’ve done well to get back up that table and be in among it.”

Aberdeen will head to Livingston tomorrow looking to back up their thrilling 3-2 triumph over the Lions earlier this month.

Derek McInnes suggested the heavy schedule put his squad under stress but they have responded in superb fashion and can complete a relatively successful spell with a win in West Lothian.

May added: “Livingston are a real tough side and we’re going to have to work hard for the points which we did the last time.

“Mentally it’s good. It’s good to have the games. Sometimes fatigue can kick in a little bit quicker than if you’re playing week to week, so it’s more punishing.

“But we’ve dealt with it well. Considering we’ve had the most games as well, it’s a real credit to our fitness.”