BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine has promised the Dons supporters that the players will not let their League Cup set-back at Hibs ruin what has been a ‘special’ start to the season.
The Pittodrie outfit’s flawless domestic record came to a shuddering halt in a 2-0 loss at Easter Road on Wednesday as late goals from Jason Cummings and Dominique Malonga settled the third round tie.
But after winning their first eight Premiership matches of the season, including victories over Celtic and Hearts, and establishing a five point lead at the summit, Considine is targeting an immediate response in Saturday’s trip to Inverness.
He said: “After being on such a good run and doing so well in Europe we were high in confidence but it wasn’t to be against Hibs.
“That is football but we have the boys in the dressing room to handle that.
“The boys are hurting but we have to pick ourselves up. We’ve been on a fantastic run and we hope to continue that at Inverness.
“Ever since I have been a young boy and watched Aberdeen from the stands and then coming through the youths it has been great, but the start we have made to this season has been something special.
“It shows as we nearly had 3,000 fans down for a Wednesday night at Hibs, which is unbelievable.
“The faith the fans have in us is also great and another motivation for us.
“It’s also great when you look back at Sir Alex Ferguson’s side of the 80s because he had a squad full of internationalists.
“It was a fantastic time at the football club and we are trying hard to bring that back.”
The 28-year-old insists their exit from the competition will not be regarded as a blessing in disguise as they bid to maintain their advantage at in the league.
He added: “It could help us but if you ask any of the boys in the dressing room or the supporters, we would all have preferred to still be in the cup.
“It was a competition we wanted to progress in, having won it two seasons ago – that was a fantastic achievement.”
Aberdeen did not look under serious threat in the tie until Cummings notched a stunning half volley in the 82nd minute.
And with the Dons chasing an equaliser, Malonga scored a second six minutes later.
Considine insists they cannot get too down about their performance.
He added: “I thought all in all, the boys gave everything. We just weren’t as clinical as were against Hearts.
“We did have a couple of chances but we didn’t take them and then the boy Cummings has taken a great touch on his chest and cracked it in the bottom corner.
“I thought it was quite even and it is a sore one to take.
“Hopefully, we can forget about it and concentrate on Saturday.
“We just weren’t fully at the races. We had a few chances but we just didn’t take them.”
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