Stewart paid price after ‘too good a summer’

Aberdeen forward Greg Stewart admits he paid the price for overindulging during the summer break.

The former Dundee player has scored only once in 14 appearances since joining the Dons in June.

The on-loan Birmingham City man made only his fifth league start in last week’s 2-1 win against Ross County and admitted it has taken him longer than expected to reach full fitness.

He said: “That was my own fault because I should have kept on top of things myself. I had too good a summer but I will learn from that.

“I had a good few holidays and lots of drink. It is one of these things, I had a poor season last time out and I kind of let my head go elsewhere.

“I enjoyed the summer too much. “I went on three holidays. There was a boys’ holiday involved, I went away with the family and with the missus, just me and her. It is something I won’t let happen again. I knew as soon as I came back I hadn’t done enough training.

“I have been in training during the international breaks. I feel a lot fitter now. The boys have been doing well and we are only a point behind Celtic.”

Speaking ahead of today’s trip to Hamilton, Stewart, who left Dundee for Birmingham 15 months ago, admitted Dons manager Derek Mcinnes has not had to address Rangers speculation with his players.

The Pittodrie gaffer has been linked with the Ibrox post after the sacking of Pedro Caixinha and Stewart said: “He has not said a thing about it, we just get on with our jobs.

“It’s just speculation. When you are doing well you are going to get linked with several big clubs. When you are doing well you get recognised.

“It’s not really fazed any of us, we just come in every day and get on with our jobs, focus on the game and work hard in training.

“You never know what’s going to happen in football.

“I’m sure he thinks the same, makes sure everyone works hard and when it comes to Saturday we are focused on the game and nothing else.”

The Dons bounced back quickly from their 3-0 home defeat by Celtic with victory over Ross County last Saturday moving them back to within a point of the Premiership leaders.

But they face a tricky task today on the artificial surface of the Superseal Stadium, where they lost twice last season. The Dons have only won once in six league games there, although they triumphed in a tight Betfred Cup encounter in August.

Mcinnes had concerns over Ryan Christie, Scott Wright and Stevie May following the victory in Dingwall –but all three trained on Thursday and will travel to Lanarkshire.

Hamilton’s Massimo Donati misses out as he serves a one-match suspension