WE MUST DO BETTER
Glass says Dons will reach for sky
STEPHEN GLASS and his Aberdeen stars have stepped into 2022 with the solemn vow: “We will do better.”
Last year wasn’t quite an ‘annus horribilis’ but the standard has certainly slipped compared to recent seasons.
Glass’ new-look Dons started brightly in Europe and domestically before their form fell off a cliff and major questions were being asked.
They did rally towards the winter break and their Boxing Day win over Dundee took them back into the top six and to the fringes of the European qualification fight.
Glass admitted: “We could do better and we will do better.
“We have shown a bit of mental toughness when we were getting kicked a bit when we were down.
“We have won the last five or six games at Pittodrie and I want that to continue when Rangers come here next.
“We had spells where we didn’t get many points but we aren’t a million miles away from where we should be.
“If we do what we can then we should be right up there where we should be.”
Glass admits that making the top six isn’t really a major achievement going by the expectation levels that come with the Aberdeen job.
He witnessed it as a player and is now seeing it as the main man.
Glass is well aware the bar needs to be raised and believes he has the players to do just that.
He is just hoping he can keep hold of prize assets like Calvin Ramsay and Scotland star Lewis Ferguson this month.
Glass, though, is also looking to strengthen in the transfer window, with St Mirren’s Jamie McGrath a top pre-contract target.
He said: “I know the demands of managing this club and I am disappointed when we are not producing.
“When you are talking about targets and Aberdeen are out of the top six then it is not right.
“I am responsible for that. It is difficult to front up.
“But I am happy the players are getting closer to where they should be and that the performances are improving. Hopefully the players can recharge and get ready to hit the second half of the season hard.”
Glass has been well-backed by chairman Dave Cormack to bring in the likes of Christian Ramirez, Scott Brown, David Bates, Declan Gallagher and Marley Watkins.
It has taken time for the team to gel, but in recent weeks there has been genuine signs they are coming together with youngsters like Ramsay making a real impact.
The Aberdeen boss continued: “What the boys have been good at has been coming back after we have had a setback.
“I think in games we’ve given the first goal away too many times but we do come back a lot.
“The resilience of the group is brilliant and so is the quality.”
Glass sent his players away on the break with the simple message to keep themselves and their families safe from Covid.
They had a minor outbreak last month but came through relatively unscathed compared to some of their Premiership rivals.
Glass confirmed: “I said to the players before they went that some of the things they have been praised for are the sacrifices and their professionalism away from here.
“As a group, we have been touched very little by Covid, and that is down to the players living their lives well.
“I know this virus can hit at any time but the players have been great.
“I just hope they stay safe and spend good time with their families.”
I am happy the players are getting closer to where they should be STEPHEN GLASS SEES A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR DONS