Niall McGinn believes momentum is with Aberdeen after the Dons extended their winning run to four matches.
Gary Mackay-Steven scored the only goal of the game as the Dons beat Hibernian in a tense encounter at Pittodrie on Friday night and McGinn is confident his club’s rise up the Premiership table can continue to gather pace.
He said: “For us at the moment, it has just been about momentum.
“We had a great week with three wins and we knew going into the Hibs game it would be a difficult one.
“We also knew if we worked hard and pressed them high that would nullify their threat which I thought we did all night.
“Even when we played Hibernian a few weeks ago down there, the likes of Kamberi and Boyle were threats but I thought on Friday night we defended against them very well.
“We have to be pleased with the clean sheet and the three points. When you are winning games it breeds confidence.
“We are in a good run of form now but as a team we know we can still play better.
“That can only be a positive in itself.
“I think when we go into an international break with three points it is more enjoyable.
“Also, if you lose it becomes a long couple of weeks to get back at it.
“We are gaining momentum at a good stage now. We have Motherwell when we come back and the cup final to look forward to as well and so that will also help raise the confidence of the squad.”
Mackay-Steven’s goal was the highlight of a match where neither goalkeeper was seriously tested and with the winger coming off the bench to set up Scotland’s consolation in the friendly defeat to Portugal last month McGinn believes his team-mate is ready to take his chance in the dark blue of the national team.
Scotland face Albania and Israel in Nations League matches during the international break and McGinn said: “Gaz has been brilliant. He is a really enjoyable player for fans to watch and for us to have in the team because we know he will always create chances.
“We also know he can step up and score goals like he did against Hibs.
“For a fellow winger, it is great to have Gaz on the other side and for us to have him in the team.
“He showed when he came on against Portugal what he could do when he got the assist.
“There is no reason why he can’t kick on for Scotland, why he can’t play on that stage.
“We know how good he is for Aberdeen and hopefully he gets his breakthrough with the Scotland team, along with the other Aberdeen boys as well.”