Interim manager Paul Sheerin identifies key striker switch as Aberdeen record first away league win this year

Aberdeen interim manager Paul Sheerin identified the half-time switch where he replaced Florian Kamberi with Fraser Hornby as being a significant reason in his side’s 1-0 win at St Johnstone.

Aberdeen interim manager Paul Sheerin bowed out with a much-needed 1-0 win at St Johnstone (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Jonny Hayes’ strike seven minutes after half-time secured Aberdeen’s first away win in the league since before Christmas. It was also only their third goal in 12 outings. Kamberi has yet to open his account after joining the Pittodrie club on loan from St Gallen in February.

Hornby has still to score too but he gave Aberdeen a greater physical presence up front when he came on for the struggling Kamberi at the start of the second half. He also nearly scored with a header that hit the side-netting after 69 minutes.

“I thought he was excellent,” said Sheerin. “Again, he had a wee niggle but we managed to get him training on Friday morning and we were not sure how much we were going to get out of him.

“But we pushed it. We just felt we needed a bit more presence at the top end of the pitch and he certainly gave us that. I thought he was really impressive and it would have been nice if he had topped that off with a goal.”

Sheerin is happy to be handing over the reins to incoming manager Stephen Glass after a much-needed win. Glass is currently quarantining but will begin his tenure on Tuesday ahead of next weekend’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Livingston.

Sheerin believes the club are in “a strong position” as they seek to overhaul Hibs in third position. They are four points behind the Easter Road side, who have a game in hand against Rangers.

“Normally you come into clubs where they are struggling, whether that be league position or whatever,” he said. “The club are in a strong position to be in Europe again next year, as we’ve done consistently for the last few years. We have a brilliant group of players who want to work hard and have an appetite to be successful.

“It can only be a good thing coming in at this stage. I am sure the manager is aware of that.”