Skipper Graeme Shinnie hailed stand-in goalkeeper Ross Doohan’s “brilliant” performance in the narrow defeat by Celtic and targeted a return to winning ways against St Johnstone on Saturday.
Filling in for injured Dimitar Mitov, former Celtic keeper Doohan was making only his fifth Dons appearance and superbly denied Reo Hatate and Adam Idah before being beaten by the Japan midfielder in the 78th minute as Aberdeen lost 1-0.
“I thought he was brilliant. He has waited a long time to get this chance,” Shinnie told Red TV.
“Unfortunate to lose Dimi obviously but those moments give other people opportunities and I thought Ross did brilliantly when called upon.
“He made some big saves, had some good kicks and to battle on from what looked like a game-ending challenge early on, fair play to him, he was brilliant.
“It was good to see other players come in. I thought Jimmy McGarry was brilliant as well and good to see Dante [Polvara] back on the pitch. Some positives from the game that we need to take forward.”
The Dons have taken just two points from their last four matches to fall seven behind leaders Celtic, but Shinnie was encouraged by their display.
“We probably deserved a point but we didn’t get it,” he said. “It was a lot more like us and we did a lot of good things and we have to take that into Saturday.
“We have had four tough games. We have a home game now against St Johnstone before a little break. Full focus is now on St Johnstone and looking to win that game.”
