Mackay-steven thriving at Pittodrie now that he has a bit more self-belief
Derek Mcinnes never doubted Gary Mackay-steven would be a key player for Aberdeen but he is delighted the winger now seems equally convinced of his own worth again.
Mackay-steven has admitted losing his way after moving from Dundee United to Celtic three years ago but has rediscovered a sense of direction since the Dons manager brought him to Pittodrie last summer.
Four goals in nine appearances already this season is further indication that he’s back to the sort of form that attracted Celtic in the first place and also why the club have already opened talks on a new deal with someone whose current contract ends in May.
However, the first priority is beating Hibernian to progress to the Betfred Cup semi-final and Mcinnes is certain someone who scored four of his five league goals against Neil Lennon’s side last season will be a major factor in that.
He said:“i’ve always thought he [Mackay-steven] was a calm finisher in good areas and he’s certainly added goals, which adds to the perception of being a key player. Just as importantly, I think he feels like a key player again, like he was at Dundee United, which he maybe hadn’t done for a couple of seasons.
“I thought he was good last season as he got ten goals, which for a wide player is a fantastic contribution. You do get bits of inconsistency with wide players but he had a good first year with us and has continued in that form.”
Aberdeen have never finished outwith the top three in the league since Mcinnes took charge but it still grates with him that they haven’t added to the solitary League Cup triumph he’s enjoyed as manager.
Of course, Celtic’s double-treble winning seasons under Brendan Rodgers hasn’t given anyone else a look-in recently but the Aberdeen manager doesn’t believe the champions’ recent problems will make it easier to break their monopoly any time soon.
He added: “Celtic are still the team to catch and at this stage of the season you get some surprise results. It hasn’t settled down yet. Most teams have improved and there’s good managers operating in the league. Any three points will be harder than previous years and I include every team in that. Sometimes you can pick up wins without being at your best but I don’t think that’ll be the case this season.”
A Jamie Maclaren goal four minutes from the end denied Aberdeen a league win at Easter Road as recently as last month and left their defender Mikey Devlin with more motivation than most for making sure they see out a victory this time.
The former Hamilton Accies captain’s only previous experience of a semifinal was as a spectator as the Dons lost 3-0 to Motherwell in last season’s Scottish Cup during his year-long recovery from serious injury.
“It was frustrating to come in having only drawn the Hibs game but we will take the positives out that game and take it into the cup tie,” said Devlin.
“My record at Hamilton was not great as a cup run is not really something we achieved. When you come to a club like this you understand there is a responsibility on you and the team to reach semi-finals and finals.”
Frank Ross returns to the Aberdeen squad after recovering from injury but Lewis Ferguson, Scott Wright, Tommie Hoban, Greg Tansey and Mark Reynolds are still sidelined. BT Sport 1, 7:15pm
Betfred Cup quarter-final action.
Sky Sports Main Event, 7:30pm
Carabao Cup third-round tie from Old Trafford. Eurosport 1, 9am and 1:30pm. Live action from Innsbruck, Austria.