Hartley hopes for winning response

Aberdeen captain Paul Hartley believes their game against Inverness falls into the "must-win" category following a 9-0 thrashing by Celtic. Hartley was sent off at Parkhead in the first half for handling a Ki Sung-yueng shot inside the box, allowing Hoops striker Anthony Stokes to open the floodgates by scoring from the spot.In the end, the visitors slumped off the pitch having taken part in the club's record defeat, leaving Mark McGhee's position as boss under threat.Hartley, who is automatically suspended, refused to discuss his manager's future, except to say the Dons players were right behind him.However, the former Celtic and Hearts midfielder recognised the need to placate stunned Aberdeen fans with a win against Caley.Speaking to RedTV, he said: "It's a must-win game for us and we will be trying our best to get three points."If we feel sorry for ourselves, Inverness will come here and get a result."So we have to make sure that we are prepared right, we have to make sure that we are mentally tough and we have to make sure we are ready for it."We've taken a big blow, but football is a funny game and we can win this game."This is the next chance for us to rebuild. I'm not saying people will forget about Saturday's result but what is important is that we try to get a result."It is important for us and important for the club."We know the fans will be hurting, so hopefully we can give them something to cheer about by taking three points."Hartley revealed he had taken steps to ensure teenagers Ryan Jack and Clark Robertson are not traumatised long term by their experience in the east end of Glasgow."Parkhead is a difficult place to go at any time and after Saturday's game they won't know what's hit them," he said."But we have talked to them and reassured them that they had no part in that result."We don't blame them whatsoever, we look at the experienced players."They are only young kids starting to learn the game, so it's a learning curve for them."We will make sure that they are okay and that they bounce back."Aberdeen will need to do what no team has managed for more than 11 months and beat Inverness at home in the league.The record was expected to fall in Caley Thistle's last outing away from the Highlands but Eric Odhiambo struck a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw against Rangers.And manager Terry Butcher believes the record is helping his team raise their game."We've got experience of a year ago of starting the unbeaten run and continuing it and maintaining it," he said."The boys like to get their teeth into an unbeaten run and keep it going."It does become a pride thing. You are proud of what you have achieved and you want to continue."You don't want to be the one that stops it or the one that makes a mistake so you try even harder. That's the key."

Source: Team_Talk