Mattie Pollock enjoyed his first win as an Aberdeen player, producing a dominant performance at centre-back as Motherwell were well beaten.

“It was a good game, a much needed win for us, so I really enjoyed it out there. It wasn’t pretty a lot of the time, but we needed the win and we came away with it. It was job done, but it’s only one game. We’ve got to keep building on this, we’re still ambitious for finishing in a good position this season.

“This is a massive club, we need to be pushing for third and fourth place, that’s what we should be looking for. If you want to do that, you’ve got to win games like this one.

“At the back we’re going to take time to gel because three of us are new to the team, but Jay started well today, he’s strong and athletic and was there when we needed him. He’s loud, he looks to organise things so I enjoyed playing with him.

“It’s going well with Angus, we’re putting together a partnership on the pitch as well as a friendship off it. Going into games, going into battle, you want your mates around you. There’s a strong bond with the lads, a lot of characters in the dressing room, leaders as well. It is a good hard working group.

Mattie looked as if he’d scored his first Aberdeen goal too, only to have it chalked off for a foul.

“I think maybe the linesman spoke to the referee. From his angle, he can see I’ve got his arm, but he can’t see that the defender is puling me, so we’re leaning over each other.

“I thought it was a good goal, but that’s football. I think I celebrated in front of three different stands, so I was the last one to know it didn’t count! It didn’t matter in the end and hopefully I’ll get a goal that counts soon.”