Aberdeen forward Adam Rooney says it is vital the Dons follow up Saturday’s 2-1 win against Celtic by taking maximum points against Hamilton and piling even more pressure on the Hoops.
The Dons can open up a five-point gap over Ronny Deila’s side by beating Accies at Pittodrie tomorrow after Saturday’s 2-1 victory against last season’s champions.
In a fiery contest in front of a sellout crowd, Leigh Griffiths had given Celtic the lead from the spot before an Adam Rooney penalty restored parity.
The Dons were reduced to 10 men when Jonny Hayes was sent off but Paul Quinn netted four minutes from time to preserve Aberdeen’s perfect start to the campaign.
Rooney believes the Reds have shown Celtic they are ready to push them all the way this season.
The Irishman said: “We wanted to set down a bit of a marker and to start well against them. Thankfully, we have done that.
“It was very similar to one of the games at Pittodrie last season when they were down to 10 men and nicked it 2-1.
“Thankfully, this one went our way. As the manager says, it is a good win but now we have to follow it up with a win against Hamilton tomorrow.
“There is no point in beating Celtic and then slipping up against Hamilton.
“We have to make sure we are focused on that.
“We can take confidence from the Celtic win but we know there is a long way to go and we just want to build on things.”
Dons manager Derek McInnes hailed the supporters’ contribution in creating the atmosphere which helped his side secure a stunning late win at Pittodrie.
He said: “My kit man said ‘that felt like 20 years ago’ in terms of the atmosphere. It’s the best I’ve seen, it was brilliant. I think you could see the need and the urge from them.
“They played their part, without question, especially when we go to 10 men but my players have got that. My players play like supporters, not in terms of their ability but in terms of their passion.
“Every game we play has got the same importance but this one possibly had that bit more importance.”
Aberdeen have now recorded their best start to a season in the club’s history with six successive wins, surpassing the five in a row achieved by Sir Alex Ferguson’s title winning Aberdeen from the 1984-85 season.
Rooney said: “I wasn’t aware of the record until after the game when the manager told us we had set a record for the club.
“The aim is to keep it going as long as we can.
“I knew before the game we had equalled it but I had actually forgotten this win would take us past it.
“It is a nice achievement but we want to make it as long a record as we can.
“We have a tough run of games with Hearts, Hibs and Inverness but we just focus on Tuesday.”