New boss says Aberdeen are mentally tough
New Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass hailed his players heroes after watching them battle through to the Scottish Cup quarter finals. Held 1-1 in 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time, the Dons dug in to deliver a flawless performance in the penalty shoot-out.
They scored all five of their kicks to finally see off Livingston and book a fifth round tie at home to Dundee United next weekend.
“I knew they had a mental toughness about them because I have seen the games, but today reinforced it,” said Glass, who flew in from the States to start his job last week.
“That says a lot about them as a group and says a lot about the former manager (Derek Mcinnes).
“The fact we came back twice against a good, strong Livingston team, I’m delighted for the players in there. “When you are a goal down in extra time you are always anxious but we showed a belief.
“I felt we were in control but there were a couple of scary moments. “The players put trust in us at half-time, we asked them not to panic and in the second half you saw a group of players who believed it. The players showed what it means to them. They showed energy, trust and belief in the structure so I’m just pleased they got their rewards.
“It has been an emotional week.” Glass could have been forgiven for feeling close to tearful when losing skipper Joe Lewis to a freak injury in the first half – and the opening goal a minute later. “I don’t know how Joe is yet. He’s walking around so he seems OK,” he said.
“It’s a big loss when you lose a goalkeeper like Joe and you have to credit Gary Woods because he was excellent.” Livingston manager David Martindale revealed he expected to lose star striker Jay Emmanuel-thomas at the end of the season. “The big man was brilliant today,” he said. “We are probably not going to hold on to him for too much longer. He’s made his feelings clear. “He could probably go back to Thailand or somewhere and earn double figures a week. “That was his best game in a Livi shirt today and best of luck to him wherever he ends up.”
“I’m disappointed but am proud of the players at the same time.
“I am gutted for them because they put so much into the game.”