Get the latest Celtic news delivered straight to your inbox with our newsletter
We have newsletters
Get the latest Celtic news delivered straight to your inbox with our newsletter
We have newsletters
Peter Leven challenged his Aberdeen to recover and finish better than the rest.
The Dons took a lot of credit for their performance in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, but then had to deal with the heartache of wasting the fallout on Saturday. Leven wants his demonstration at Hampden to be the benchmark and is aiming for a clear sweep of five. has won in the last six. Aberdeen start with Motherwell this weekend, then take on St Johnstone, Hibs, Livingston and Ross County.
Leven said: “The challenge is to finish as high up as you can imagine in the standings. I told them: let’s go to the league and finish as high as you can imagine, that’s the challenge. It’s going through a big effort until the end of the championship. Season. We want to give more of the same. We’re in a position we don’t want to be in. We have five big games to start on Saturday. Two home games to start with, so I’m pleased with that. Each and every match is mandatory at this club.
Aberdeen have done well in cup competitions but struggled in the Premiership under Barry Robson and Neil Warnock this season. Leven has arrived and will remain at the helm until the summer, when, despite everything, Jimmy Thelin arrives.
The interim boss wants to constantly improve and not just in games. “These are the criteria that I and the enthusiasts have set,” he said. “So I’ll make sure the players know that.
“And they know it every day. Even in a five-man training, you have to win to set the pace and criteria every day.
The Aberdeen players gave their all for Hampden and it will take some time for them to do that physically and mentally. The team will resume their education and begin preparations for Motherwell today at Cormack Park.
Leven knows his task is to get them back up and running. He said: “The dressing room is a bit flat, but it’s my job to lift them up because we have a huge game on Saturday.
“I told them that was the norm. Honestly, since I came in, I’ve rested, recovered and gone through again. We’ve got those five huge games in the league.
“The spirit has been there since I arrived. The enthusiasts were brilliant and never gave up and kept pushing us. We were the biggest team. We made Celtic tremble, especially in the second half. I’m just tired of the guys.
Killian Phillips and Ryan Duncan will be weak after having no consequences in the shout, but Leven praised his players for stepping up. Duncan received no help during a long wait after Kelle Roos suffered cramps.
Leven said: “I will never criticise anyone who has to step in and take a penalty. Two young graduates of the academy: Jack Milne and Ryan Duncan. They had the courage to execute it and it’s good.