Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty has hailed ‘top pro’ Scott Vernon for forcing his way back into contention at Pittodrie.
The English forward endured a difficult campaign last season but, after a slow start, has rediscovered his form, scoring four goals in the last two games.
His hat-trick at Falkirk on Wednesday helped the Dons demolish their Championship opponents 5-0 and Docherty is delighted to see the attacker being rewarded for his dedication by getting himself back among the goals.
He said: “It is pleasing because over the course of any season it comes down to the squad.
“It is not your starting 11 but your squad you need to be strong if you want to be successful. Scott Vernon has been the perfect example of that.
“He has been on the fringes but he came on and scored a very important goal against Inverness and then he carried that on against Falkirk.
“If you look at his goal-per-game ratio he has scored four goals in two games and that is good shooting.
“Massive credit to Scott because he is a top pro.
“He has worked really hard in training and never let the head go down. He is an experienced player who has taken his opportunity when it has come along.”
Vernon’s treble on Wednesday was the highlight of a good night’s work. However, Docherty is more pleased with the fact all of the attackers are contributing in the absence of last season’s leading scorer Niall McGinn, who is ready to return to the squad for Monday’s game at St Mirren.
McGinn has missed the last three games due to a bruised foot but his team-mates have netted nine times in his absence.
Docherty said: “The attackers are scoring and we are also getting goals from other areas of the pitch.
“We now feel we are carrying a real threat from set-plays and that is something we work hard on and try to make sure the defenders are also chipping in with goals.
“We are pleased with how things are going but we are not getting ahead of ourselves.”