Aberdeen attacker Steven MacLean is convinced the Dons players are united in support of manager Mark McGhee and in their determination to halt their slide towards the Scottish Premier League relegation zone.
The Dons salvaged a point out of the wreckage of another abject display at Hamilton Accies to prevent a fourth successive defeat in a run which extinguished their Scottish Cup hopes and left their aspirations of a top-six SPL finish hanging by a thread.
The draw at New Douglas Park – achieved thanks to Zander Diamond’s 76th-minute equaliser – did little to enhance their chances of reaching the top half, but MacLean is convinced the squad has the character to turn things round.
He said: “We are all in this together. We are fighting for our manager and for each other.
“To say the players are not behind the manager is rubbish. I am not long at the club but I can see everyone is behind the manager.
“We all want to pull in the same direction whether it is loan players, out-of-contract players or players on long-term deals. We are all singing from the same hymn sheet. If you cannot take the criticism you should not be at a club such as Aberdeen. You need to have a bit of character.”
The Dons have endured a barrage of criticism from every angle, including McGhee.
MacLean has not escaped McGhee’s wrath – his display against Hearts was described by the manager as rubbish – but he said: “The manager is entitled to his opinion. I agreed with him. When you get criticised by the manager you want the opportunity to go out and prove him wrong. Hopefully, I did that.
“Football is a man’s game. You are going to get a bit of stick from the manager sometimes but you have got to react to it in the right manner and, if you do, he will praise you.”
MacLean has not conceded defeat in the race for the top six but he knows the Dons can ill afford to add to their nine matches without a victory. He said: “If we do not get our fingers out we will be looking at a relegation struggle but we are looking above us. A couple of wins and things will look up.
“People have questioned our attitude in the last couple of weeks but, hopefully, we have answered a few critics.”
Dons midfielder Fraser Fyvie missed the encounter after suffering a foot injury in training last Friday.
©2010 Press and Journal
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