Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has challenged his rebuilt squad to finish the Premier Sports Cup group in style.
Goodwin has signed seven players this summer and his new-look Dons blew away Stirling Albion 5-0 to sit top of Group A.
The Dons side have have all but secured finishing top and progression as they sit three points ahead of second-placed Raith Rovers.
They also hold a three goal advantage over Raith, who they face in the final group game at Pittodrie on Sunday.
New signing Luis Lopes, secured on a three-year deal from Benfica, made a solid debut when coming on at half-time.
Goodwin was disappointed Lopes, 22, did not secure a goal on his debut as his effort rattled the bar.
Aberdeen have scored nine goals and conceded none to top the group.
However Goodwin, who aims to sign another three players in the window, refuses to get carried away.
He said: “We are top of the group and will hopefully finish it off in style against Raith on Sunday.
“We don’t want to get too carried away though.
“I am reluctant to get too excited because these are games we should be winning.
“However it certainly gives us a positive feeling.
“I was really pleased and over the opening 45 minutes I thought it was brilliant.
“It was a professional approach with good urgency, intensity and tempo in the build up play.
“There was some terrific movement at the top end of the pitch and some really good goals.”
Lopes short of full match fitness
Secured on a six figure sum from the Portuguese giants Benfica, Lopes was introduced at the start of the second half.
He was denied a dream debut goal when his effort cracked off the crossbar.
Goodwin says Lopes is short of match fitness as Benfica had not returned for pre-season when he signed for the Dons.
He said: “Lopes showed a little bit of everything really.
“He has had three training sessions in six weeks.
“He is a mile off it fitness wise and nowhere near where he needs to be.
“But we knew that when we brought him in.
“He makes some really clever runs, is very quick and dynamic over five to 10 yards.
“If we can get the service to him in behind the opposition he will be very hard to catch.
“It would have been lovely for that to fall a little nicer for him and end up in the back of the net.
“You always want your strikers to be up and running as soon as possible.”
Five first half goals for Aberdeen
Aberdeen blew away League Two part-timers Stirling Albion with a five goal first half blitz.
Vicente Besuijen netted a double with Christian Ramirez, Matty Kennedy and Ross McCrorie also on target.
Goodwin said: “The second half I am a little disappointed we didn’t manage to score another two or three goals.
“We hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions.
“It is only natural that the tempo of the game decreases a little bit.
“I think as a player you do come off it and try to save the legs.
“However we are still trying to push them to remember that they are still trying to get that match fitness we need in preparation for the league campaign.
“I can’t be too hard on them as that is five goals and three clean sheets in the last three games.
“Albeit we know the level of opposition without being disrespectful to the part-time teams we have played up until now.
“The players deserve all the credit for their attitude and their approach.”
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