Stephen Glass has been delighted to see David Bates turn his fortunes around because the Aberdeen boss admitted he has been one of his biggest critics.
The Scotland defender netted his first goal and helped claim a clean sheet against Livingston in midweek and now he will be looking to help the Dons build on that when St Mirren visit today.
Bates came in from Hamburg in the last window but has taken time to find his feet with the Dons. Like the rest of the Aberdeen defence, the ex-Rangers stopper has come in for some stinging flak at times this season and Glass has stated has been as critical as anyone.
He said: “I am pleased for him because he took a lot of stick and he took a lot of criticism from myself internally. He wasn’t playing at the level we expected but there were reasons for it.
“There are ways of poking him to make him realise he needs to be better. It is knowing people’s characters and how they respond to the criticism. It was just a case of highlighting a few issues.
“It’s been brilliant to see his response and his growth.We knew what we were getting when we signed him and that’s why we had to be a little bit patient.
“It took a little bit longer due to the lack of a pre-season but it wasn’t something we wanted to highlight. That would look like an excuse although it was a reason for his level increasing.
“If you say it while his performance level is lower it looks like you are making excuses and David didn’t want that.
“This is why he has not referenced either so I am delighted for him now especially with the recognition and the goal the other night.”
Aberdeen are now within touching distance of the top six and Glass is well aware what a good festive period could mean to his side.
“I heard Marley (Watkins) say last week that talk is cheap and it is,” Glass said. “We need to get out on the pitch and we need to win games.
“It is important we keep racking up points and then we can see where we are after the Ross County game.”
Aberdeen entertain the Buddies and their 3-2 loss in September still rankles within the home ranks.
They were ahead then Teddy Jenks was sent off and defensive disasters saw them come away with nothing.
Glass said: “We remember the game and what should have happened. Teddy got sent off for two pretty soft fouls and we felt hard done by. It is important we take the positives from that game and put them into Saturday.”
Keeper Joe Lewis was in the firing line that day and was then dropped. He has since forced his way back into the team and aims to show it was a one-off for him and Aberdeen.
Lewis said: “I didn’t enjoy it but I feel I have been playing well recently. I feel a lot more confident and back to my old self. “I am looking forward to the game. We will try and get the win for the team.”
He believes the Dons showed character to see off Livingston and that will need to be reproduced in abundance over the coming weeks.
“It was satisfying to win these games convincingly in the end,” he beamed. “It probably should have been more and it was good to keep the clean sheet.”
