“I did not think there was much in the game.

“It was a typical pre-season game where sometimes the tempo is not quite what you want. You are trying to remind the players to treat it as a competitive game and play in the right manner, but we all we know that we are playing at a neutral ground and it is a friendly.

“These games are played for a reason.

“We are not too concerned about results or performances, we are just looking at taking a step to where we want to be in terms of fitness and familiarity.

“So, from that point of view we are pleased.

“I don’t think you can ever be totally pleased as we wanted to create a bit more and have a bit more of a cutting edge in the final third. We wanted to pass the ball a bit better at times, but the players are slowly working towards a performance that they will be happy with.

“Two games and two clean sheets, that side of it I am pleased with. I am also delighted with Lewis Ferguson getting his first goal. I thought he was excellent. He played it like a proper game and not a friendly one and he got his reward with the goal. Hopefully it is the first of many.

“So in summary, pleased to win, but there was not a lot in the game. There was not a lot happening in both boxes if truth be told, but certainly plenty of effort from everybody.

“We want to push Michael Devlin because we are keen to get those minutes into him and want him to make a stamp on the team. He has been waiting six months to make his debut, so he is eager to do that. But we are also trying to be mindful and be fair – he has been out for a long long time.

“While we can maybe put more minutes into certain players, we have to be careful because the last thing we want is for Michael to break down. All that taken into consideration, he has done every bit of work pre-season and he has done it very well. His game time has been very good as well. He can take a lot of confidence from that. He is desperate to show himself and try and establish himself. He was a big part in us getting a clean sheet tonight. He has things to work on like everyone, but the majority of his performance was good.

“You don’t need to be involved in football to instantly recognise a good footballer. Chris Forrester is an example of that.

“He is a lovely footballer.

“His first touch; he plays with his head up; when it is busy round about him, he is one of those players who looks like he has more time.

“We just want Chris to be a big big player for us. He was a bit behind in his fitness work. He did a bit of extra work yesterday and he got 45 minutes tonight on top of the hour he got on Saturday. We are trying to give him the game time but still give him the work needed to make him a bigger player for us, a more all-round player.

“His passing, his composure, his touch is great and that creativity I was speaking about, he is certainly one who can make the difference in certain games.

“Everyone is fine, so no injuries as we move onto the St Johnstone game on Sunday. Stevie May played 45 minutes tonight. Michael Devlin’s groin was a bit tight but he was ok, we got him off in time. So we will be good to go on Sunday in Perth. We will knuckle down and do some more work before then. It is still pre-season. The players are meant to be tired at this time of the year, but we look forward to the games.

“It is an important game for Chris Millar and his family. St Johnstone recognise him with the testimonial, but it is also an important game for us. I am delighted that we have been asked to go and play in that game, for personal reasons as well, but from a bigger picture it is another step towards the Burnley game.”

04/07/18 PRE SEASON FRIENDLY
ABERDEEN V FALKIRK
GAYFIELD – ARBROATH
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes celebrates Lewis Ferguson’s late winner