Source: Team_Talk
McGhee: Big win beyond expectations
Mark McGhee said he did not doubt Aberdeen would return to winning ways after watching their 4-2 victory over Hibernian in the SPL.[LNB] The Dons boss had blamed a recent spate of injuries for his team's recent poor run of form which saw them pick up only one point from a possible 18.[LNB]However, with the likes of Sone Aluko and Paul Hartley back available the Dons convincingly defeated Hibernian 4-2, leading by four goals at one stage before a late Hibs rally.[LNB]McGhee said: "After the loss to Hearts last Saturday I didn't feel in any way despondent.[LNB]"I felt anticipation and that a lot of what I had been thinking and hoping while we had the spate of injuries was going to be true that when we have these players back it would get better.[LNB]"I hoped that we would progress this week and we did. I didn't expect to win 4-2 and scoring four goals was probably beyond our expectations."[LNB]The Aberdeen boss singled out Chris Maguire, who scored the opening goal, for the part he played in the win.[LNB]McGhee believes the young striker's fine form this season is a result of having been inspired by watching Spain win the World Cup in the summer.[LNB]He said: "Chris has come back with a renewed sense of maturity since he came back from Kilmarnock and he talked a lot about what he saw at the World Cup and watching Spain in particular.[LNB]"They have a lot of players like him who are not of great stature but work hard. He has taken that into his game and he has gained a lot of confidence from his performances for the under-21s."[LNB]The Dons' fourth came courtesy of a Paul Hartley penalty, after striker Scott Vernon had tried unsuccessfully to assume the spot-kick responsibilities.[LNB]McGhee said that Vernon believed he had already scored twice when the penalty was awarded and was eager to score a hat-trick.[LNB]He added: "The fourth official had told us that the first goal has been credited as an own goal so the penalty wasn't for a hat-trick. Had it been for a hat-trick we would have probably let Vernon step up and take it.[LNB]"As it wasn't for a hat-trick we felt that our penalty taker should take it, just to make sure."[LNB]Hibernian boss Colin Calderwood, in his first match in charge of his new club, was disappointed with his side's performance but felt he could take some positives from the defeat.[LNB]He said: "It's a horrible result for us but hopefully we have learned from the mistakes. We have to be a team rather than good individuals, which I can see that we are. We need a wee bit of cohesion, teamwork and some work on the training pitch.[LNB]"Hopefully we will look as though we are moving forward over the next two or three weeks. The advantage is we managed to score two goals from oblivion - that is a small plus we can take from the game.[LNB]"We were truly beat at that time so I can only commend the spirit of our team to keep going right until the end."[LNB]The Hibs boss felt the match could have turned out differently had striker Colin Nish been able to net before the Dons broke the deadlock.[LNB]He added: "Big Colin was apologising at half-time as though what he did was a crime but I don't mind players missing as long as they are having a go.[LNB]"If we keep continuing to miss then it may be a problem for that player. However in the second half Colin got his goal when he looked a genuine threat that we can profit from, when the ball is in and around the box."
