Anthony Stewart reckons the Red Army have every right to vent their frustrations because there can be no hiding place over Aberdeen’s run of results.
The Dons picked up their first point since the World Cup shutdown with Monday’s goalless New Year draw at home to bottom club Ross County. Aberdeen dominated but couldn’t find the net before the final whistle cued a chorus of boos from a big section of the team’s supporters.
One point from a possible 15 have been banked but captain Stewart is adamant Jim Goodwin’s squad will put things right. Another Premiership home clash with St Johnstone and a League Cup semi-final against Rangers beckon. Stewart said: “Off the back of four bad results and a draw at home where we know we should be winning, I can understand why they booed us and I get their frustration. As players, we never like to hear it. But we are working hard and will put things right eventually.
“There’s no hiding place. Luckily we are sitting fourth and still in a position to go forward and do better than we have recently.
“I totally get the fans booing us. They come and support us home and away. And if they’re frustrated, then why not voice that frustration?
“It’s a big club and there are high demands on us to perform. If you didn’t know that before you came to Aberdeen, then there you go, it will be a surprise.
“Nobody can hide behind the four games we lost in the manner we have. We make mistakes and we’re having a bad time. But, ultimately, this is the time you see the true characters and those who want it.
“It was a great reaction from the boys and a clean sheet. We haven’t had that for a while but unfortunately we didn’t score goals. But we are heading in the right direction.”
Aberdeen came back from the break to damaging Pittodrie defeats by Celtic and Rangers before following up with slip-ups on the road at St Mirren as well as Kilmarnock. Stewart missed the 2-1 defeat at Rugby Park through suspension and boss Goodwin claimed it was as poor as he had seen this season.
But his defender believes there was a reaction against the Staggies and on another day they would have taken all three points. Stewart added: “It was a frustrating day. I can’t fault anyone’s performance or attitude because our mentality in the game was a lot different to Kilmarnock.
“We wanted a reaction and a result, although we weren’t clinical at the other end and that was the reason why we drew 0-0.”
Stewart didn’t help the cause in Paisley on Christmas Eve when sent off 10 minutes before the break as Aberdeen went on to lose 3-1.
He was slack with a pass back and was shown red for a last-man challenge. The 30-year-old said: “As captain and from my own individual standards, that was poor.
"I don’t really get red cards. Unfortunately I made a mistake to get sent off and I take that on the chin.
“But the one thing about me is I won’t hide or shy away from the fact that I knew it was a mistake and I let the team down on the day. I will come back stronger.”
