Source: Team_Talk
Hughes thrilled with Bairns' bounce
Hughes saw Michael Higdon net the only goal of the game to seal a vital three points in the Bairns' bid to avoid an end-of-season battle against relegation.[LNB]The manager said: "The two teams were evenly matched and the overhead conditions made it difficult for real slick football, so I'm pleased for the boys.[LNB]"We showed great resilience and great character to go and get the monkey off our backs.[LNB]"It was the first time we've beaten Aberdeen since we came into the SPL and it was a good time to do it.[LNB]"I'm ever so pleased for the guys because I know what kind of guys they are and the spirit they have. They deserved it; they deserved to have something go their way."[LNB]Falkirk came into the match on the back of Tuesday night's demoralising Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers at Hampden and Hughes confessed he was worried about the fallout from that match.[LNB]He added: "It was a concern because the last time we got beaten in a semi-final, we felt sorry for ourselves and it was five or six games before we got a win. We noted that and we mentioned that.[LNB]"The semi-final on Tuesday was mentally and physically draining so the boys showed great character to go and win the football match.[LNB]"I was delighted for big Michael because it was a great goal and I'm delighted we got a clean sheet as well."[LNB]Aberdeen counterpart Jimmy Calderwood admitted too many of his players had been off-form as he saw an impressive run come to an end.[LNB]"We had too many players not playing to their own standards," said the Dons boss, whose side had only lost one of their previous nine games.[LNB]"I thought we were cruising it really in the first half and had two great chances.[LNB]"There wasn't a lot of football being played in very difficult conditions but I thought, if we had got the goal at that moment in time, Falkirk were lacking a bit of confidence.[LNB]"We weren't playing that well, we weren't holding the ball up, we weren't getting players forward and our passing was poor, but we weren't getting hurt.[LNB]"Everybody's got to look at themselves in the mirror and ask how their day was.[LNB]"You've got to contribute, whether that's holding the ball up, winning tackles or talking, and there wasn't enough of us did that today.[LNB]"There weren't many players got above a five and that's not good enough for Aberdeen."[LNB]After a win over Celtic and a draw with Rangers, the Dons manager has told his players they must also raise themselves for the matches against the rest of the SPL, with their two defeats in the last 10 games coming against Hamilton and Falkirk.[LNB]He added: "We've been on a great run but it's not only about playing against Rangers and Celtic.[LNB]"These are massive games for us as well and we've got to realise that."[LNB][LNB]
