Jack’s joy as Dons silence the critics
ABERDEEN skipper Ryan Jack believes the battling Dons have answered their critics with a rollicking end to 2016 — leaving them perfectly placed to challenge for second place after the winter shutdown.
Stung by fans questioning their heart and commitment to the cause, Aberdeen finished the year with consecutive impressive wins over Motherwell, Hamilton and then Hearts.
They will resume their league campaign just two points behind Rangers, but with a game in hand over their Ibrox rivals.
Jack declared: ‘A lot of people were criticising us and asking what was going on. They had a bit to say. But we have answered them brilliantly.
‘We sat down after the loss to Ross County, knowing we had three games to go before the break — and we aimed to win them all. We have managed to do that, which is credit to the lads.
‘We wanted to pick up more points than we did in December, of course. We lost at Rangers and Ross County, but they weren’t bad performances. They were just bad results.
‘I live in the city and my family are from the city, so you do see it (the criticism). That is part of football. That is what happens when you have that expectation on you — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘But I think the criticism was harsh because the performances were fine, we just didn’t get the results. We have answered up and the lads have been superb. We have a great spirit in this squad as we have proved over the last three games.’
Admitting that having their appetite questioned was the most hurtful aspect of the criticism, Jack said: ‘One hundred per cent. We never go on the pitch looking to lose, we always set out to win.
‘The criticism came, we took it on the chin and answered it. We have responded in a positive way, as I knew the players would.
‘After the Ross County game, we spoke about wanting to win those final three games and then being able to spend some time with our families, coming back refreshed and being able to take on 2017.
‘We want to do as well as we can in the league and there is the Scottish Cup as well, so it is exciting times. There is a lot to look forward to.
‘A lot of people can say Aberdeen players aren’t doing this or that and are playing for nothing — but of course we have motivation. We want to finish as high up the league as we can and have a good Scottish Cup run.’
If wins away to Motherwell and at home to Hamilton would have been expected, Aberdeen definitely laid down a statement of intent by the manner of their win at Tynecastle on Friday night — absolutely bossing every area of the game against a Hearts team with a reputation for aggression. Revealing that manager Derek McInnes had stressed the need to man up and prove that they are no soft touches, Jack said: ‘That is something the manager believes in. The fans get right behind their team at Tynecastle.
‘If Hearts start on the front foot, they will put us under pressure. You have to be ready with that, as well as the physical side when it came to set-pieces and free-kicks. I thought we were outstanding.
‘Our own motivation is to win wherever we go. The scoreline against Hearts was 1-0 but it could have been more. We felt comfortable and dominated most of the game.
‘You don’t tend to get that at Tynecastle. It is usually a very difficult game. Don’t get me wrong, we had to work our socks off.’