It’s not JUST about winning matches... it’s about going out and winning WELL

SAYS ADAM ROONEY

LONG before the end, the home fans were in raptures. If there had been a cautious expectation of the Aberdeen win that would open up a three-point gap in the race for second place, few honestly expected to witness a display that oozed such class, flair and a brutal ruthlessness.

They scored seven and might have had more. The exchanges between the front four simply tore Motherwell asunder. Derek McInnes wasn’t about to take issue with the suggestion that it was the most complete display of his nigh four-year tenure.

Seven points behind Rangers back on Christmas Eve, Aberdeen have now got their noses in front. The Dons have now won all but one of their last nine games in all competitions and look to have been energised by some hot weather training in Dubai last month.

A victory in the early kick-off away at Kilmarnock on Sunday would extend the gap to six points prior to Rangers’ game at Dundee and would further chisel away at the odds of them finishing ahead of the Ibrox club in May.

Adam Rooney, who continued his own personal persecution of Motherwell with a hat-trick, believes Wednesday’s seven-goal blitz was indicative of a side which is fast learning that the need not just to win, but to win well, is what separates the wheat from the chaff.

‘The gaffer’s always on at us — when we’re winning games 2-0, he wants us to go on and be more ruthless,’ said the 28-year-old Irish striker.

‘Celtic do it nearly every week and he wants us to be more like that. It’s something that we need to get into our game — to make sure that once we’re in front, we don’t get too comfortable, sit back and be happy with the win. We need to get our goal difference up.

‘We’re on a good run at the moment. That’s eight out of the last nine we’ve won. The only points dropped have been away at Celtic. So we’re confident going into games.

‘We knew with the game in hand this was a big week for us. It was a chance to go three points clear and get into the next round of the Scottish Cup and, thankfully, we’ve done that.’

In every possible sense, the timing of this performance was perfect. Jonny Hayes and Andy Considine marked the signing of extended deals with goals, while Ryan Christie also produced a strike of sublime quality. It served to shift the narrative away from talk of McInnes and the vacant Rangers post.

Earlier this week, the Dons boss was abundantly clear in where he felt his future lay. His players emphatically backed those words up with actions.

‘We’re doing our best to keep him aren’t we?’ smiled Rooney.

‘I think there’s been 18 managers linked with that job. We don’t focus on that — we focus on ourselves.

‘We know the gaffer really enjoys it here, as do the players. I think you can see that from the number of players who’ve signed new contracts. It’s a good place to be and we want to keep building.’

The unity of the squad could hardly have been more evident against the Steelmen.

Footballers have a tendency to continually skip to the next task on the agenda, but McInnes and his players were fully entitled to pause and reflect on a night where virtually everything clicked into place.

‘I think they’re (Motherwell) the team I’ve scored more goals against than any other team. Them and Dundee, so I’m delighted with a hat-trick,’ added Rooney.

‘They’re back in a few weeks’ time, which is good. But we’ve threatened that a couple of times this season — we’ve put in strong performances and maybe not taken the chances we could’ve but, unfortunately for them, they were on the wrong end of it.

‘Certainly, it’s the biggest win I’ve been involved with. We’ve had a few 4-0 wins over the past couple of years.

‘When we get early goals, we tend to kick on. Sometimes, we dominate first halves but don’t get the goals but, in this game, everything we hit seemed to go in — even Ash Taylor nearly put one in!’

In the aftermath, McInnes actually revealed that he contemplated resting Rooney on the night.

Remarkably, the one selection issue he could do nothing about — Graeme Shinnie’s suspension — mattered little in the end.

‘Maybe that’s the secret, get him out,’ laughed Rooney. ‘But Jayden (Stockley) has been excellent when he’s come on in the last few weeks and Ryan (Christie) came in and did brilliantly here.

‘That’s what we need — it’s going to be a long haul till the end of the season and we’ve a lot of games to go. We need people fighting for positions and, if it brings out performances like it did in this match, then brilliant.’

As Rangers struggle for harmony and consistency, McInnes’ side can justifiably feel they have those commodities in spades.

It would be stretching matters to say second place is now Aberdeen’s to throw away but, without question, they are now holding the whip hand.

‘There’s a long way to go,’ said Rooney. ‘We’re delighted to be in the position we’re in, but it’s too early to say: “That’s it, we’re going to be in second place”.

‘We’ll have to work hard for it. Hearts and St Johnstone will say they want it, as well, but we’re in good form and hopefully we can keep ticking off the victories.’

Kilmarnock, another club in disarray after the sudden departure of Lee Clark, are next up in Ayrshire on Sunday.

If the Dons replicate the display they turned in against Motherwell, there can surely only be one outcome.

‘We’ve had a good record against Kilmarnock over the past few years, but it’ll be difficult,’ warned Rooney.

‘Their manager’s away, so we won’t know what sort of team we’ll be facing, but we’ll go there with confidence.

‘Everyone has to work to stay in the team because there are plenty of people trying to get into the starting eleven. Hopefully, we can go and get the win — whether it’s 1-0 or 7-0.’