Dons boss Glass hails recalled keeper Lewis

ABERDEEN manager Stephen Glass has praised goalkeeper Joe Lewis for his positive response to being dropped.

Left out for two games in favour of Gary Woods, Lewis (below) marked his recall in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Hibernian by recording the Pittodrie side’s first Premiership clean sheet since the opening day of the season.

The 34-year-old saw it out despite taking a blow to the face during the second half, leaving Glass thrilled by a restorative display ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Ibrox.

‘I thought Joe was excellent,’ said Glass. ‘He took it really well when he was left out.

‘It’s not easy to be left out as a No 1 goalkeeper. He waited his turn to come back in. I felt it was time to put him back in. He looked more like himself and more confident. He has repaid everyone at the club with that performance. He was fantastic.

‘I don’t know if it’s broken but he has a pretty big cut on his nose. He looks like a proper goalie now.

‘He has taken a sore one, managed to stay on the pitch and I’m delighted for him.’

Glass is facing a major defensive selection headache for the meeting with Rangers as his side look to build on their first win in 11 games.

Jack MacKenzie, Calvin Ramsay and Declan Gallagher are all set to miss out through injury, joining long-term absentee Andy Considine on the sidelines.

However, there was better news up front for Glass at the weekend as Marley Watkins made a first start since mid-September beside Christian Ramirez.

‘Marley was a little bit closer to Christian than anyone recently,’ added Glass. ‘(Ryan) Hedges was at the top of the midfield linking it all together.

‘We haven’t had Marley on the pitch but you can see what he brings. Hedges has missed a lot and if we can keep them on the pitch, we will be good. The next challenge is keeping the defenders on the pitch.’