Gary Mackay-Steven repaid the faith of manager Derek McInnes with a stellar display against Hibs.
After a couple of games on the sidelines, Mackay-Steven returned to the Aberdeen team on Saturday and scored the winning goal.
It was vindication for boss McInnes bringing him back into the team and it will boost Mackay-Steven’s confidence as well.
When you get into a situation like he was – after being substituted in the first-half during his last appearance against Motherwell in the League Cup – you need to have belief in your own ability and there’s no doubt that Mackay-Steven’s got ability.
But he still had to show it, it has been patchy for him since he came to Aberdeen but he has only been in the Granite City for a short period.
You could see him grow in confidence after he got the goal.
It definitely helped his belief and it was important for him.
He made an impression after being brought in and he’s repaid the manager’s faith big time.
I thought it was a very strong perforamnce from the Dons, although there wasn’t a great deal in it.
I thought Hibs were very good, particularly in the second-half.
But I thought Aberdeen more than matched them in the first-half and they got their goal.
There wasn’t too many bits of quality in the game, it was more a competitive all-action type game.
I think that the goal was the stand-out moment in the game.
But Mackay-Steven was threatening coming in off the right-hand side against Lewis Stevenson.
It was a really well-worked goal with the set-up from Stevie May and Kenny McLean. He took it with a calmness and authority.
It was the real piece of quality in the game but it was an exciting match.
I think the fans really enjoyed it, it was very physical at times but that is one thing about Aberdeen since the Motherwell game in the League Cup – they have been up for the physical test.
Joe Lewis didn’t have too much to do, but all-round it was a great three points to get on the back of an impressive start to the season.
To be sitting on the same points as Celtic sets up a really exciting game against them at Pittodrie.
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