Dons still on the up, reckons Reynolds
EBBE SKOVDAHL’S rather bleak reign at Aberdeen may be slowly fading into ancient history but one of the avuncular Dane’s great wisdoms now strikes a chord with the current squad at Pittodrie.
This time last year, Derek McInnes’ side were five points behind Celtic and about to declare themselves genuine title contenders.
Twelve months on, they are 24 points adrift and making no bones about the fact they are locked in a battle for second place.
But if, from a distance, that widening of the numerical gap suggests the Dons have regressed over the intervening period, there is a sense that Skovdahl’s famous line — statistics being ‘just like miniskirts, they give you good ideas but hide the most important thing’ — has a renewed relevance.
‘Celtic have stepped up a gear and have moved on to a different level but that’s just the nature of football,’ claimed Dons defender Mark Reynolds.
‘The gap this season is much bigger than it was last season because Celtic slipped up more than they have this season but that’s not something we can affect.
‘All we can do is keep grinding out enough wins to hold off their title party for as long as we can.
‘The one thing I would say, though, is that we’re a better side this season than 12 months ago. We have improved as a squad.
‘Celtic have taken a huge step under Brendan Rodgers and are a completely different animal but I think we’ve upped it, as well.
‘We’ve grown as a team and the squad is as strong as it has ever been since the manager came in.
‘The performances we’ve put in over the last few months are as good as we’ve had since I’ve been here. I think the squad is stronger and the performances are stronger, so we’re moving in the right direction.’ Even before Wednesday’s pulsating 7-2 win over Motherwell, McInnes had suggested his side would reap the benefits of a week spent training in the agreeable temperatures of Dubai.
He again referenced the advantages potentially to be gleaned from such a trip in the aftermath of the thumping — but stressed that only by ending the season strongly would his side’s season be defined as an overwhelming success.
His warning came from bitter recent experience; Aberdeen finished second last season but rather tired towards the end, losing five of their last six games to end up 15 points behind Celtic in the final reckoning.
With Rangers, Hearts and St Johnstone snapping at the heels, a similar slouch this season is likely to be harshly punished.
‘Lasting through to the end of the season is a big thing,’ added Reynolds.
‘It’s especially important when we have been starting so early because of Europe but the winter break should be a massive help in that this year.
‘We got ten days off with the families and then went to Dubai for a week and, while you won’t know for sure how it has impacted on the season, we’re feeling really fresh at the moment.
‘The last few seasons there was a bit of tiredness crept in at the end of the season but this year the winter break has changed that.
‘Externally, people might look at it and think it has been good for us becoming the underdog because of Rangers being back in the league.
‘But the expectation we put on ourselves is that we always expected to be challenging up there and be going for trophies.’
Having won eight of their past nine games in all competitions, Aberdeen could hardly have picked better opposition than Kilmarnock tomorrow.
Remarkably, the Dons have beaten the Rugby Park side on all 12 occasions since McInnes took charge, scoring nine goals in the two previous meetings this season.
The departure of Lee Clark coupled with the impressive form of the visitors suggests that statistic won’t change but McInnes can sense a trip-wire lying in wait.
‘I’m sorry to see Lee Clark go. He was someone I liked in the game,’ he added. ‘I think he put together a decent squad.
‘They’ve had a decent couple of results recently and they’re probably going to get themselves away from the relegation spots.
‘I’m sure they’ll have planned a team to face us last week, and I’m sure Lee McCulloch will follow that on.
‘I don’t see too many changes in their preparation for this game. Obviously their manager has left and you’ll never know how players will react, but we still expect a tough game.
‘Lee Clark promoting Lee McCulloch for the job is an indication of his capabilities within the club.’
McInnes has a full squad to choose from, with the only dilemma being whether or not to bring back Graeme Shinnie, who was suspended for that 7-2 thumping of Motherwell.