Nicky Devlin would happily take another rubbish display at Celtic Park so long as Aberdeen bin Brendan Rodgers’ side and extend their dream 100 per cent start to the season.
The Dons are riding the crest of a wave and have won all 13 games, in all competitions, under new boss Jimmy Thelin. The Scotland new boy knows it is all about points rather than performances and was happy to pitch in with a goal in their dramatic comeback win over Hearts.
Their next Premiership test after the international break will be the toughest so far when they go head-to-head with the champions, who are also on a maximum 21 points. The good thing for Devlin is Aberdeen have still to hit top gear and as it stands they are finding different ways of winning. Devlin said: “We take confidence from the way we started the season and the way we ended the last one. We were unlucky not to win every game after the split (last season) because we drew the last game.
“We are in good form and there is a lot of confidence throughout the side. We know we can be better. There have been times where we could’ve been better but we manage to find a way. Listen, we can be rubbish at Celtic Park but if we can find a way then I would take that!”
Thelin’s side certainly know how to dig out results. That was shown as they came from behind to beat Hearts over the weekend.
They also had to hold on in the second half at Dundee and needed a late winner at Ross County. “I don’t think we were great if I am being honest,” said the right-back, who netted the equaliser against Hearts.
“We have done that a couple of times this season, where we haven’t been great but the resolve and attitude of the players have meant we have managed to find a way. We did that again on Sunday.
“It was important the second goal came after they had just gone in front. That swung the momentum back for us and the boys who came on were brilliant. They gave us an extra wee lift and an injection of pace when we needed it.”
Ante Palaversa grabbed the headlines with his late winner against Hearts but Devlin is well aware this current run is all about the collective. He reckons that was shown as the likes of Palaversa, Shayden Morris and the returning Duk all made their mark off the bench.
Devlin said: “I am delighted because Shayden has been doing it all season. He finds himself out the team and that is a bit harsh on him. The impact he is making when he comes on has been phenomenal.
“Duk was brilliant. I am delighted for him because he has had to work hard. If we can get that Duk between now and the end of the season then we will have an unbelievable player.”
Duk made his first appearance under Thelin, as he looks to repair his Aberdeen standing after going AWOL to try and force a move over the summer. Devlin knows he is back with the bit between his teeth.
“The impact he had on the game was massive,” Devlin said. “He was the reason the boy (Jorge Grant) got sent off. The other full-back (Adam Forrester) that came on last got booked against him and he also set up the winning goal.
“I don’t think he got an assist for it because Ester (Sokler) claimed he got a touch before Ante put it in. It won’t go down as an assist but he was brilliant for us.”
Aberdeen’s run is the best Devlin has had in terms of straight wins. He said: “I have never won this many games in my career before.
“At Livingston we went 14 games unbeaten, the year we got to the cup final but it was win after win. There were maybe a few draws. The amount of wins we have had has been phenomenal.”
Dons are neck and neck with Celtic and a massive 19 points ahead of bottom side Hearts, who finished a clear third last season. Devlin, like Thelin and the rest of his team, is not taking anything for granted. But they are in a good moment and they and the fans are enjoying it.
He said: “It is a good position to be in but we know ourselves we still have to play Hearts three times. They will be looking at it as if that will be nine points written off. We have had a good start but we have to keep going.”
Before the Celtic game Devlin has two big games of his own to worry about. The full-back has been called up by Steve Clarke for the first time for Scotland’s Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal.
The 30-year-old said: “It has been brilliant to be fair, those are the only words to describe it. It has also been a bit surreal.
“If you are a football player then this is the kind of level you want to get to. The call-up was brilliant but my focus was on the Hearts game and we managed to win. Last week the focus was on can we beat Hearts and go into the Celtic game level on points with them?
“Now, I have two massive games before that. The manager has said we can take one match at a time now. My next focus is Croatia and hopefully I can get on the park and play.”