Monday 19 September 2016 08:41, UK
Derek McInnes praised summer signings Jayden Stockley and Wes Burns after the substitutes inspired Aberdeen to a 3-1 victory at Dundee.
The Dons were heading for a fourth Scottish Premiership draw of the season until the pair come on in the 74th minute, with former Bournemouth striker Stockley heading his side in front before Burns earned an 88th-minute penalty which Kenny McLean converted.
McInnes was delighted to see his double substitution pay off and hailed Stockley and Burns for seizing their chance, with the three points moving his side above Rangers into fourth spot.
"I thought we just got into a wee lull and something had to change. We were getting plenty of penalty-box entries and balls into the box, but we never really carried that threat as much as the first half. Sometimes it just takes something different," McInnes said.
"It's always difficult taking off a goalscorer like [Adam] Rooney, especially when you are needing a goal. But we brought other people here because we have been too reliant on Rooney and I thought all three substitutes, but especially Jayden and Wes, helped turn the game for us.
"I'm delighted for Jayden. He is desperate to come here and make an impact. It is difficult to find a place in our team because there's not been a lot wrong with it. So it's important when they do come in they contribute, which they did.
"We found our killer instinct because that is one thing we have been lacking. We reminded the players, the feeling we have got now is the reason why we play. That's how we want to feel on our weekends, enjoying a win. It is all about winning."
Another recent signing, James Maddison, also played a major role. The on-loan Norwich midfielder marked his first start with a 19th-minute equaliser, turning and firing underneath Scott Bain from 22 yards to cancel out Holt's well-worked opener.
"He's a real technician of the football," McInnes said. "He's a lovely footballer, great balance, right foot, left foot, tight areas. And he's got that ability that all the top players have, the ability to find space even when it's busy. He is going to help us no end, I'm sure of that."
Dundee manager Paul Hartley did not see the late goal burst coming and disagreed with the decision to award the away side a penalty in the closing stages.
"I thought second half we were comfortable and played really well," he said.
"It was just a little lapse in concentration because I felt we dealt with their wide players very well. [Cammy] Kerr and Holt dealt well with Hayes and [Niall] McGinn, but just that one moment.. And the penalty-kick is not a penalty, he wins the ball."
Dundee had a further blow in injury-time when Mark O'Hara received a second yellow card for a foul on Graeme Shinnie, ruling himself out of next weekend's trip to Inverness. It was the ninth yellow card referee Steven McLean had shown in the game.
"I think there were too many yellow cards. Mark knows he has made a challenge he probably shouldn't have made, but players are getting sent off for very little these days. He makes two fouls, not nasty challenges," Hartley said.
"It's the last minute, can we see a bit of common sense sometimes? Obviously not."
