Mattie Pollock paid tribute to his late Auntie Sue as he dedicated his first Aberdeen goal to her.
The on-loan Watford defender netted the third in this convincing win over Hearts to put Dons firmly in the fight for third spot. Pollock revealed he’d been through the wringer and missed his aunt’s funeral because it was 24 hours before this vital clash.
The 21-year-old admitted: “I’ve had a really tough week. My auntie passed away and I want to dedicate that goal to her. I missed the funeral on Friday so I could play in the game. To get a goal for her was great and also to have my family in the crowd. Just to see my mum and dad and my sister, with her boyfriend, I had everyone there. I’m just buzzing. It’s funny how football works. I got the goal ruled out against Motherwell but it has made this one sweeter.”
This victory was just as sweet for interim manager Barry Robson. He made it three wins from three and that has seen the Dons rise from top six to top four. Robson has been left in temporary charge while the Pittodrie board continue to interview potential managerial candidates.
The current boss has really strengthened his hand and surely must be the main contender? You wouldn’t bet against Aberdeen taking third place if he was to remain.
Do they really want to gamble on that, by bringing in a candidate who doesn’t have the same grasp of the club or maybe even Scottish football?
A lot of Aberdeen fans say he is too inexperienced. As a manager – yes. As a top-level footballer – no. He also has brought in an experienced No.2 in Steve Agnew beside him. Why not leave him in charge until the end of the season?
It is less of a gamble than appointing out with. The Red Army were chanting: “There’s only one Barry Robson”, while he probably has a stronger backing in the Aberdeen dressing room.
It has been 15 months since the club last won three consecutive games.
Pollock admitted: “From working with him, Steve Agnew and the other coaches, even the people behind the scenes, there has been a real special feeling that I haven’t felt something of this nature for a long time. I’m loving every second of it. The gaffer has got us all going and he has got us with a smile on our face.
“It’s massive because when it comes to a game you want to be relaxed and be able to play your football. When you go on the pitch and you have 11 people who will put their body on the line for each other, what more do you want? It is a joy to work with every single one.”
Aberdeen are now four points behind Hearts but Pollock knows nothing has been achieved yet and there is still plenty of work to be done over the next nine games.
The Watford player said: “Look it is a massive three points. As a player, you don’t look at the table, it is game-by-game. That is what we need to do. I know we are in the top six and it’s a massive three points. We’ve won the game and I haven’t contemplated anything else.
“I’m really proud of the lads. We have been working really hard and it’s another step in the right direction, we have shown what we are all about. Hopefully, it can push us up the table. We are just taking it game-by-game.”
Aberdeen blew hapless Hearts away within half-an-hour, grabbing the first inside five minutes when Duk’s deflected shot beat Hearts keeper Zander Clark all ends up. And the Portuguese ace then grabbed his second in 21 minutes, glancing a header into the net.
Pollock, who had set up Duk for his second, then netted with a diving header in the 28th minute to seal it.
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