Source: Team_Talk
Hartley hails improving Dons spirit
Aberdeen captain Paul Hartley believes team spirit is beginning to improve after they fought back to avert another cup shock.[LNB] Hartley scored a second-half double to secure a 2-1 victory over Falkirk at Pittodrie last night and a place in the last four of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.[LNB]Mehdi Khalis had given First Division Falkirk a deserved half-time lead to stoke memories of Aberdeen's cup defeats by Raith Rovers, Dundee, Dunfermline, Queen of the South and Queen's Park in the past four seasons.[LNB]But Hartley headed an equaliser before netting his seventh penalty of the season deep into injury-time after Khalis was controversially ruled to have fouled Chris Maguire.[LNB]"We started the first half very poorly and we deserved to go in behind," Hartley told RedTV.[LNB]"We got a bit of rollicking at half-time and we were out the cup basically.[LNB]"But we showed desire and attitude. People will say we were fortunate with penalty but we'll take it.[LNB]"A semi-final is massive for the club. We showed a bit of spirit and the main thing is we are in the draw on Friday.[LNB]"When I came here people talked about the fact we've had a few defeats to lower-league teams and First Division teams.[LNB]"We have tried to install a work ethic, a determination and a never-say-die spirit. I'm delighted for the supporters because it gives the supporters something to look forward to."[LNB]Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee had argued their recent disappointing run, which saw them took one point from six SPL games, was down to an injury crisis.[LNB]His argument has been given credence by the fact that the return to fitness of Hartley and Sone Aluko has helped the Dons beat Hibernian and Falkirk.[LNB]And victory over St Mirren in Paisley on Saturday could edge them into the top six.[LNB]"We haven't got the biggest squad but everyone is in it together," 34-year-old Hartley said.[LNB]"We have tried to install a team spirit and it is coming through. We still have some good players to come back.[LNB]"We said last week we had three massive games. We've won two of them, we have another one on Saturday, and we want to win that."
