Derek McInnes has hailed the contribution Adam Rooney has made in his first full season at Pittodrie.
The prolific Irishman has netted 23 times in 37 matches and is the Scottish Premiership’s most lethal marksman with 13 goals.
Former Caley Thistle player Rooney joined the Dons from Oldham Athletic last January and has relished a second stint in Scotland, which included netting the winning penalty in last season’s League Cup final success.
The 26-year-old will be hoping to add to his tally when Motherwell – the side with the joint worst defensive record in the league – come to Pittodrie this Friday.
McInnes said: “We don’t take Adam’s goals for granted – his contribution this season has been brilliant. We are fortunate we have good attacking options but he always carries a goal threat even when he isn’t at his best.
“He causes problems, scores goals and has been an important player for us. Since he has come to the club his goalscoring return has been fantastic.
“I think Adam, Niall McGinn and David Goodwillie have 36 goals between them in all competitions.
“We also have young Lawrence Shankland scoring 25 goals in the reserves and chapping at the door.
“We have good options there but Adam has certainly played his part and I am sure he has plenty more goals in him from now until the end of the season.”
Aberdeen welcomed back Ash Taylor from injury during their recent 4-0 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead, while captain Russell Anderson and midfielder Nicky Low are nearing returns after long-term lay-offs.
Low played for the first time in five months for the Dons under-20s in Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Dundee.
McInnes, whose substitutes’ bench against the Hoops included Peter Pawlett, Barry Robson and Goodwillie, is pleased to have plenty of options as his Reds gear up for their final 10 matches of the season.
He added: “I am sure everyone will have a part to play. We have good options and we have to make good decisions. For a long while the team was more or less picking itself but that is no longer the case.
“It is up to the players who are in possession of the jerseys whenever the team is picked to perform as they have good players breathing down their neck.”