Manager Derek McInnes hailed Aberdeen’s mental strength after they managed to open up a five-point lead over Celtic with a gritty 1-0 win against Hamilton Accies.
Adam Rooney’s sixth goal of the season ensured the Dons maintained their flawless start with a seventh win from seven matches.
The Irishman converted a 23rd-minute penalty after Ziggy Gordon’s rash challenge on Graeme Shinnie that proved to be enough to win a scrappy encounter.
Hamilton Accies enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to net the equaliser as McInnes’ side held on to record another victory of the new campaign ahead of this weekend’s trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts.
McInnes was full of praise for his team, who ended the match with 10 men after Ash Taylor was forced off in the closing stages after a nasty clash of heads with Lucas Tagliapietra.
The Aberdeen manager, who confirmed Taylor would be fit to face Hearts, said: “It was all hands to the pump at the end. We had Adam Rooney at centre back, which is the furthest he’s been away from the opposition goal. But there’s not a successful team out there which hasn’t had to dig in like that.
“There’s not a team out there which has won anything, whether it’s cups or leagues, which hasn’t won games like that. There is a confidence we can win games like that. People will always throw doubts at us, so we’ll have to keep proving it. I never have any doubts about them. Maybe the levels were not there after last weekend but we would have taken that before the game.
“The attitude was spot on, even though we didn’t get the rhythm going that we usually have. While you don’t get the second goal, against any team – never mind one as good as Hamilton – then you always have a worry. But we stood up to it, that’s seven wins in a row now and we’re delighted. We go to Hearts on Sunday now trying to get eight wins.”
The Dons gave a debut to Northern Ireland international Ryan McLaughlin, who impressed before being replaced by Shay Logan in the closing stages.
McInnes was pleased with his contribution.
He added: “It was good to get him on the pitch and I think he showed what he is capable of.”