Aberdeen: David Goodwillie 'separates us from others'

David Goodwillie's quality will separate Aberdeen from many Scottish Premiership rivals this season, predicts Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.

McInnes was speaking after the former Blackburn Rovers striker's winner in a 3-2 defeat of Dundee at Dens Park.

"It was that bit of quality that separated a tight, fiercely-contested match," McInnes told BBC Scotland. "It is a top-drawer finish.

"We all knew we were in a game, but I do feel we deserved to win."

Goodwillie, capped three times for Scotland, joined the Dons as a free agent in the summer after being released by Blackburn Rovers.

Before that, three barren years followed a £2m transfer from Dundee United, but his third goal in 11 appearances since arriving at Pittodrie suggests the 25-year-old is beginning to recapture his form.

"We knew what we were getting in," said McInnes. "We just needed to get the boy going again and I feel he is a player whose all-round game is far better than the boy who left to go down south.

"Previously at times he was a bit untidy into feet and a bit irresponsible at times with some of his link-up play.

"It's the exact opposite now and I think he's a more complete player.

"What he has never lost and has still got is that knack to score goals, he's got that cockiness and swagger in the final third and I do think he'll be a player who separates us from a lot of teams.

"We're delighted. We just want to work with good players and we feel he is.

"We've given him a platform. Our boys love him, our support love him, the staff love him and we've just given him a home to go and perform and he's responding great."

Aberdeen have now won four of their last five games, the only blemish coming in midweek after St Mirren fought back from two goals down to draw at Pittodrie.

"I thought we managed the game very well once we went 3-2 up, so that encourages me after the other night. and it shows that we've learned," said McInnes.

Both sides scored within six minutes of a thrilling opening spell at Dens Park.

"With Dundee playing the shape they did, the game was a bit open for my liking in the first 20 minutes or so," he said.

"We went more to a back three and a four in front of that and I thought that, when we got the ball up to our front players, we caused them problems."