Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes David Goodwillie will take a major confidence boost from ending his goalscoring drought.
The 26-year-old netted twice in Sunday’s 3-1 victory against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday after being selected ahead of top scorer Adam Rooney.
It was the first time Goodwillie had found the back of the net since a 4-0 win against Ross County in February.
The forward has produced some impressive displays for the top-of-the-table Dons this season and McInnes was pleased for Goodwillie to finally get his reward in front of goal.
He said: “I think it’s important for any forward.
“He has contributed and he played a part in the European games, setting up a few goals and getting a few assists.
“No matter how many times I say to him he’s contributed and he has played a part, forwards need goals. They need to have that feeling of scoring because the three points feel better if they’ve scored.
“It’s never easy leaving Adam Rooney out of the team because of what he gives you.
“But we made a call on it. I thought David, Shay Logan, Peter Pawlett and Paul Quinn, who didn’t play against Hamilton on Tuesday, all played their part against Hearts.”
The Dons will be hoping to emulate their flawless league form in the cup when they return to Edinburgh tomorrow to face Hibernian in the third round of the League Cup.
McInnes expects a tough test against Alan Stubbs’ Championship players, who defeated Livingston 1-0 at the weekend.
He added: “I watched Hibs on Saturday and there’s enough to suggest we will have our work cut out. We’re going to have to bring a strong performance. The focus is on the cup now.
“We want to do as well as we can in all competitions.
“It was good to come through three matches in a week against Celtic, Hamilton and Hearts with the points in the bag but the all the focus is on Hibs now.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean is confident the Dons players can handle the rising expectations around Pittodrie after starting the season with an eight-game winning run.
He said: “We just need to take it game by game.
“We haven’t been looking too far ahead and it is working so far.
“There is always going to be a massive expectation at a club this size but the players are handling that on the pitch.”