Determined Derek McInnes admits he and his Aberdeen team have to rebuild bridges with supporters.
He hopes the Dons’ return to third spot is the start of that reunification process.
Sections of the Red Army turned on Aberdeen after they slipped to fourth last season and this time around McInnes’ new-look side have taken some heavy beatings from Rangers and Celtic .
Since then they have responded, beating Kilmarnock at home and winning at Hamilton and Ross County, to move behind Glasgow’s big two in the table.
McInnes said: “We’ve got to build some bridges with some and have that connection between the team and the support.
“When the support is how it was on Saturday and the players respond it is great. Hopefully we can have many more days like that.
“Only the Old Firm can do what we did and fill the stand at Ross County. The fans were in full voice and they certainly enjoyed the game. We enjoyed the support too and that is the way it should be.”
McInnes and his players have had to take a lot of flak on the chin. He has been delighted with the way his squad has reacted.
They showed character again at Dingwall, coming back from the disappointment of conceding an early penalty to win 3-1.
McInnes said: “We scored three but we could have had four, five or six, with some of the opportunities we had and you can see the confidence coming back into the team.
“We have had to take a few blows this season, however, we also knew it was very important we keep a bit of measure and balance to it.
“We are a good side and have had the opportunity to show that over the last three
games. The players deserve so much credit.
“We have just done our bit after the defeat to Celtic. We had to knuckle down, stay quiet and get on with the job in hand.”
The Aberdeen boss had to do a quick rebuild job ahead of their early, Europa League return. He brought in the likes of Ryan Hedges, Curtis Main, Ash Taylor, James Wilson, Greg Leigh, Jon Gallagher, Funso Ojo and Craig Bryson.
McInnes always believed the ability was there but it was a matter of getting all the new faces to gel.
He said: “The intent is there from the team and there is also quality. That there has been the confidence to go and deal with
the situation we were in pleases me.”
