Connor Ronan believes Aberdeen FC have found a key turning point after a difficult start to the Premiership season. The Irish midfielder scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 away win over Motherwell, a result he described as a perfect away performance that has boosted confidence throughout the squad.
Ronan, one of 15 summer signings, admitted the weight of expectation at Pittodrie had been a surprise. "Yes, I think everyone speaks about it before you come in and everyone speaks about it when you get in the door," Ronan said. "And you feel it a little bit in pre-season." He suggested the team had been playing as if under pressure following an opening league win over Dundee and subsequent draws and defeats, including being booed off after a goalless home draw with Kilmarnock.
Momentum shift
The 28-year-old, who previously worked under manager Stephen Robinson at St Mirren, pointed to consecutive victories as the catalyst for change. A penalty shootout win over Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, achieved with ten men, was followed by the comprehensive league victory at Fir Park. Ronan netted Aberdeen's second goal just after half-time, with Gavin Molloy and Ayoub Mouloua also scoring their first goals for the club and Kevin Nisbet adding a fourth.
"I think getting two wins on the bounce now the energy around the place is higher, everyone's happy," Ronan stated. He argued that the manner of the Motherwell win, where Aberdeen frustrated their hosts and capitalised on mistakes, was the ideal way to build belief. The result lifted Aberdeen to 8th in the Premiership table with seven points from six matches, moving them two points clear of their next opponents, Hibernian.
Looking ahead
Robinson's side travel to face a manager-less Hibs looking to extend their winning run and secure what Ronan termed a 'perfect hat-trick' of victories. They will do so without the injured Kristers Tobers and Emmanuel Gyamfi, while Lewis Mayo was a doubt for the midweek fixture. The club's current injury list also includes Bradley Lyons and Kusini Yengi.
Ronan is confident his manager will get things right at Aberdeen, bringing a sense of relief that the team's methods are beginning to click. He acknowledged the unique pressures of playing for a club of Aberdeen's stature, where fan passion translates to intense scrutiny. The team's recent form shows one win, two draws and two losses in their last five outings across all competitions. Supporters can check the full schedule, including the key trip to Easter Road, on the club's fixtures page, while the latest standings show the tight battle in the middle of the Premiership. Ronan's first goal for the club came in the 46th minute of the Motherwell match, assisted by top scorer Kevin Nisbet.
This story first appeared at Daily Record Football
