Derek McInnes hailed his goal hero Sam Cosgrove as his brace helped Aberdeen thump Dundee 5-1 last night.
Cosgrove took his tally to six for the season with his first-half double and McInnes believes he will only grow in confidence with each game.
The former Wigan striker has now netted four goals in the space of a week and goes level with Gary Mackay-Steven as the club’s top scorer this season.
Andy Considine also found the net twice and Connor McLennan rounded off the scoring for the rampant hosts, however Cosgrove stole the show.
McInnes said: “He’s always been a boy that’s worked hard for the team but obviously with scoring goals, his game is in a good place. There’s been good service into him and good support around him – Stevie (May) has had a big part to play in that.
“We’ve been searching for that at the top end of the pitch and with 10 goals in three games, and some very good goals in that, is really pleasing.”
Victory has moved the Dons within a point of top spot and level on points with Celtic in third place. Three wins on the bounce has transformed the perception of the campaign, with the inconsistencies of the early part of the season appearing to be banished heading into the new year.
McInnes added: “I’d rather be top but considering where we were, we set ourselves a task and target before Livingston to win all four games. We felt it was important to hit the 36 points after 19 games. It’s the halfway stage and it’s normally where we are, on target to break 70 points. We’ve got nine out of nine since Livingston and we go and try and get the next three on Saturday.”
McInnes expects to have Gary Mackay-Steven back for the visit of Hearts on Saturday, after three weeks out with a concussion. Mikey Devlin, however, will not play again this year due to a foot injury.
The centre-back was sent to a specialist in London on Monday and while no further damage has been discovered, Devlin will be held back until after the winter break in January.