Return of fans inspires Aberdeen to European thrashing
It was worth the wait for Aberdeen supporters, as their first game in attendance at Pittodrie in over a year presented a masterclass.
Last updated 22nd Jul 2021
The backing from the stands helped Aberdeen roar to success in their first competitive game of the season, according to Stephen Glass.
5,665 fans were given access to Pittodrie as Covid restirctions continue to ease - the first game for Glass in front of fans in his tenure as Aberdeen Manager.
Lewis Ferguson hit a brace, after Andy Considine opened the scoring.
The Dandies might just have a new cult hero after US International and debutant Christian Ramirez netted, and it was rounded off nicely with a cool finish from substitute Connor McLennan.
That helped the Dons beat BK Hacken 5-1 in the first leg of the Europa Conference League second qualifying round.
"If you're being greedy we wouldn't have lost a goal but when you ask the players for a performance and they produce that, I don't think there's any complaints,'' he said.
"The players get the reward for the work they have put in for the past five weeks."
For Glass it was a proud moment, not just personally, but in watching his players finally get to hear the appreciation of supporters again:
"For myself, managing the team in front of the Aberdeen public felt good, but the response they gave the players was more important to me.
"They drove the team on. It was a bit sticky in the first 10 minutes because Hacken are a good team and we were feeling our way a little bit.
"But the backing we got when it started flowing a bit more, it almost seeped into the players, because good players respond to supporters. A lot of big players have missed it and you could see the response when the noise starting kicking up a bit.
"I am delighted for the players and the public that came as well.''
Hacken manager Per Mathias Hogmo told the press he isn't ready to give up hope yet, despite being disappointment with the goals his men conceded.
"We were on our way back into the game at 3-1 but you can't win games when you give away goals like we did,'' he said.
"We will hopefully have three or four players back and that will hopefully make us stronger.''