McInnes thrilled as Mackay-Steven shows his quality
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes hailed the contribution of Gary Mackay-Steven after the winger scored a hat-trick in the Dons' impressive Scottish Premiership victory over Hibs.
The 27-year-old has failed to hold down a regular place in the team since joining from Celtic in the summer.
However, the winger was the stand-out performer in a one-sided encounter at Pittodrie and McInnes has challenge the former Celtic player to produce a better level of consistency.
McInnes said: `I believe in Gary and I was really keen to get him here.
`He should watch a copy of that game time and time again because I think he has the potential to do that more often.
`What we have had here in the last few years is good wide players, who we have had a real level of trust and dependability to play in that position.
`In Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes, I could count on one hand the amount of times they never did their job well in the side.
`What they also did was carry a goal threat. I have always felt Gary was a good finisher and we saw that here, he just needs to show that more often and hit the heights he is capable of.'
The Dons' victory was their third in a row following McInnes' decision to shun Rangers and remain in charge at Pittodrie.
The Aberdeen manager was delighted with both his team's display and individual performances.
McInnes added: `When you put into context the level of opposition, it may well have been our best performance this season.
`I thought we were very good from the first minute. We were very bright and really tenacious with our pressing, and we defended with concentration and aggression.
`We carried a threat and got our goals at good times.
`There were a lot of good players on show for both teams but I thought we had the better performers individually and as a team we were excellent.'
Furious Hibs boss Neil Lennon, meanwhile, blasted his players' display and claimed even a League Two team would have beaten his side.
Lennon said: `First of all, I congratulate Aberdeen. They wanted it more, played the better football and were superior to us in all departments.
`However, Cowdenbeath would have beaten us today with the attitude that we showed in the game.
`We were abject, weak physically and mentally, really really poor and I have never seen that from my team before. It was unacceptable.
`We started off alright but as soon as we conceded the first goal, we had gone. I did not see one spark from any player.'