David Bates praised Aberdeen’s response as Stephen Glass reveals ‘inside criticism’ of defender

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Stephen Glass was thrilled to see David Bates turn things around because the Aberdeen boss admitted he was one of his biggest critics.

The Scotland defender scored his first goal and helped claim a clean sheet against Livingston midweek and he will now look to help the Dons capitalize on that when St Mirren visit today.

Bates arrived from Hamburg in the last window but was slow to find his feet with the Dons. Like the rest of Aberdeen’s defense, the former Rangers keeper has had some biting criticism at times this season and Glass has said he’s as critical as anyone.

He said: “I’m happy for him because he’s taken a lot of stick and he’s taken a lot of criticism from me internally. He was not playing at the level we expected but there were reasons for that.

“There are ways to push him to make him understand that he needs to be better. It’s about knowing people’s characters and how they react to criticism. It was just a matter of highlighting a few issues.

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“It has been great to see his response and growth. We knew what we were getting when we signed it and that’s why we had to be a little patient.

“It took a little longer due to the lack of a preseason, but it wasn’t something we wanted to highlight. It would sound like an excuse even if it was a reason his level was increasing.

“If you say it while his performance level is lower, it looks like you were making excuses and David didn’t want it.

“That’s why he didn’t reference either so I’m thrilled for him now especially with the recognition and the goal from the other night.”

Aberdeen is now within easy reach of the top six and Glass is well aware of what a good holiday season could mean for him.

“I heard Marley (Watkins) say last week that talking is cheap and it is,” Glass said. “We have to get out on the pitch and we have to win games.

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“It’s important that we continue to collect points and that we can see where we are after the Ross County game.”

Aberdeen entertains the Buddies and their 3-2 loss in September is still in the home ranks.

They were ahead and then Teddy Jenks was kicked out and defensive disasters saw them walk away with nothing.

Glass said: “We remember the game and what should have happened. Teddy was sent off for two fairly minor fouls and we felt badly hit. It’s important that we take the positives from this game and put them in place on Saturday. “

Goalkeeper Joe Lewis was in the line of fire that day and was subsequently jettisoned. He has since returned to the squad and aims to show that this was a once-in-a-lifetime event for him and Aberdeen.

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Lewis said: “I didn’t like it but I feel like I’ve played well lately. I feel a lot more confident and have come back to my old self. “I’m looking forward to the game. We will try to get the victory for the team.

He believes the Dons have shown character to take down Livingston and that will need to be replicated in abundance over the next few weeks.

“It was satisfying to win those games convincingly at the end,” he beamed. “It probably should have been more and it was good to keep the sheet blank.”

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