Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes insists Saturday’s agonising Scottish Cup exit at Dundee will not linger long at Pittodrie.
The Dons were dominant but ultimately eliminated from the cup on Saturday by the Dark Blues at Dens Park and the manner of the loss has hit hard at the club. But McInnes insists it is time to move on and regroup for the visit of Hamilton on league duty on Saturday.
Adam Rooney got the only goal of the game when the Dons beat Accies in the League Cup in their last meeting and McInnes is keen to get back to winning ways.
He said: “There will be no hangover going into the Hamilton game, there can’t be. These players have always given their all and I know there will be no problem in recovering from the Dundee game.
“It was a difficult one to take especially after producing an excellent performance for most of the game. The players are hurting but credit to Dundee for hanging in there and getting the goal.
“We have to move on.”
The Dons recovered from the loss of an early goal to dominate Paul Hartley’s side in a pulsating 90 minutes but a combination of inspired goalkeeping from former Aberdeen goalkeeper Scott Bain, poor finishing and poor defending in the final minute cost the Reds dear.
While McInnes knows there was much from his side’s display to be pleased about he is aware of the areas which need improvement.
The Aberdeen manager said: “To get a standing ovation from the support when your team has been put out of the cup speaks volumes for how we played but we know we have to make more of our chances and defend straight balls better.
“It let us down against Celtic and it was same against Dundee, so there are areas we need to improve on.
“The performance I got from my team was exactly what I wanted but as I said before the game it is all about getting in the next round and making sure we get in.
“We controlled the game and showed real composure, fluency and pace but we’re out and we just have to take it on the chin.”