Aberdeen goalkeeper Scott Brown paid tribute to the defensive resilience of his team-mates following the 1-0 win against Kilmarnock which briefly took the Dons up to second place in the Scottish Premiership.
In nine matches since replacing Jamie Langfield, who celebrates his 35th birthday today, in goal following the 3-0 loss at Hamilton on October 17 the 29-year-old has kept seven clean sheets and only conceded four goals, in the league loss to Celtic at Pittodrie and the Scottish Cup defeat at Dundee.
Peter Pawlett’s second-half goal finally saw of Kilmarnock on Saturday and Brown was delighted his side’s determination reaped its reward, although their stay in second place was brief as Dundee United’s win against Celtic at Tannadice yesterday took them into second.
Brown said: “The lads defended really well and I did not have a lot to do.
A 1-0 win with the clean sheet, we’ll take that every time. The players are doing well and we are looking really solid although perhaps we could have won by a couple of more goals.
“Everyone is working hard to keep the clean sheet, it’s not just the goalkeeper and the back four, the players further up the field are putting in a really strong shift to stop the supply so it is a real team effort.”
The Dons again hit the woodwork twice against Kilmarnock through David Goodwillie and Pawlett before a late Kilmarnock threatened to steal what would have been an undeserved point.
Brown and his defence held firm and the goalkeeper added: “They chucked a lot of crosses into the penalty area and the forwards were getting back to make the clearances and we defended well.
“Josh Magennis and Lee Miller are always a handful up front for Kilmarnock but it was a real team effort.
“It is pleasing to move up the league – we have kept going and been consistent and this was a good, ugly 1-0 win.
“We have got a tough game at Inverness coming up at the weekend and we look no further than that.
“They play some really good football and we know they have quality all over the pitch so it is going to be tough.”
The former Cheltenham goalkeeper has had to become used to his side dominated possession and chances in recent matches and added: “In League 1 and 2 in England the ball is getting chucked into the box every five minutes so there are always decisions to make but here it has been about keeping concentration.
“I have to keep switched on and keep concentrating and when called on make sure I am ready.”