Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hailed his side’s killer instinct following the Dons’ 3-0 win at Hamilton Accies last night.
Sam Cosgrove reached double figures for the season as Aberdeen cruised to victory at New Douglas Park in the Scottish Premiership.
McInnes said: “There wasn’t a killer instinct earlier in the season. There’s a goal at the end of the pitch for a reason. We seem to have grasped the importance of that.
“We had a meeting about the importance of every three points before the game.
“It’s too early for a title race but looking at the next eight or nine games including tonight, if we can get to the 30-game mark and still be in and around it then maybe we can make it into something.”
Cosgrove’s double was the highlight of a pleasing night’s work for the Dons as the striker made it nine goals in the last seven league matches for the Dons.
The Englishman’s Premiership tally now stands at 11, one goal behind the league’s leading goalscorer Alfredo Morelos and while delighted with his forward’s goal return the Aberdeen manager insists his striker can still bring so much more.
He said: “Sam has worked hard at his game, knuckled down and tried to learn his profession.
“Considering where he’s come from he’s improving brilliantly and hopefully that continues. His game is in a good place.”
One man who can help Cosgrove continue to impress is Greg Stewart. The Birmingham City striker is back at Pittodrie for his second loan spell after spending the first half of the season at Saturday’s opponents Kilmarnock and McInnes is pleased to see Stewart settle quickly in a red shirt once more.
He said: “Greg is very thoughtful, he gives us craft and graft and has a bit of thought to our play.
“A lot of our team haven’t played with him before and right now it’s about getting used to him.
“I’m delighted he’s helping us with the challenges ahead and hopefully he can have a big influence on the team.
“When they’re all on song there is decent movement there but the importance is being a threat.”
The Dons remain fourth but are level on points with Rangers after they lost 2-1 at Kilmarnock, who move up to second in the table ahead of their trip to Pittodrie on Saturday.
The Aberdeen manager said: “I hope we’re building some momentum. We have to play a Scottish Cup replay at Stenhousemuir which is a chance to right the wrong of Saturday.
“It’s another game but we dealt with a bigger schedule in December so maybe it’s not bad having so many games.”