Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dons must earn place says boss
ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes is counting on the fierce competition for places keeping his side competing for honours this season.
The Dons have bounced back from the disappointment of exiting the Europa League by winning their opening three domestic games of the campaign.
Aberdeen are one of four teams boasting a 100% record after two games and McInnes is pleased with the mental strength which was on display at Ross County on Saturday.
He said: “There’s not a lot between us and other teams.
“We’ve got good quality players here but we know we need to earn the right to take part i n the game.
“When we go to places like Dingwall and they ask questions of us, we’ve got to stand up to it.
“Sometimes it comes down to that bit of quality or the ability to change it. Sometimes it comes down to having that determination to make sure the game went our way.
“We spoke about that at half-time on Saturday and it was evident for the winning goal.”
Saturday’s win at Ross County was his side’s fourth game in nine days and, while the schedule has made for a testing start, McInnes is delighted with the desire from his squad and wants to see his players continue to give him tough decisions i n terms of team selection.
Adam Rooney, leading goalscorer for the last three seasons, was also on the bench as McInnes handed new signing Stevie May a debut.