Jim Goodwin revealed he’s implored Christian Ramirez and his fellow Aberdeen strikers to use the Premier Sports Cup group stage as their hunting ground.
The Dons got off to a winning start in Group A with a 2-0 win over Peterhead at Balmoor. Ramirez opened the scoring in the second half from the penalty spot after Matty Kennedy was brought down, then sealed the win with a header. The American was linked with a move away from Pittodrie towards the end of last season. He returned to America after being given some time off by Goodwin after a poor run of form seemed to play on his confidence.
Rumours circulated that the striker was set for a move back to MLS. But he’s back in the north east and firing, with Goodwin keen for all his front men to put their lower league opponents to the sword ahead of the big Premiership kick-off. “That’s the message we’ve given to all the attacking players during this League Cup campaign,” he told Premier Sports. “It’s an opportunity to get some goals early on in the campaign. It gives them confidence and hopefully some momentum going into the league campaign. I’m really pleased with the attitude first and foremost and of course, the two goals were excellent.”
Goodwin would have liked a wider margin of victory against their League One opponents. But he praised Blue Toon keeper Jack Newman for keeping his side at bay for so long. He added: “First and foremost we’re delighted with the result. We would’ve liked a few more goals but I’ve got to give credit to the young Peterhead goalkeeper. I thought he deserved his Man of the Match today.
"Credit to Jim McInally. All his players were very well organised. I’ve been a part-time manager in the past, playing against Premier League teams. You want to keep it compact and frustrate them and they certainly did that to us in the first half."
READ NEXT:
