New Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass hails predecessor as Pittodrie side beat Livingston on penalties to earn last eight place against old foes

Stephen Glass hailed the “mental toughness” instilled into the side by predecessor Derek McInnes as Aberdeen came back twice to secure a Scottish Cup last eight clash with Dundee United after a penalty shootout win over Livingston.

New Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass saw his side prevail on penalties against Livingston to reach the Scottish Cup last eight v Dundee United (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

The new Aberdeen manager was a United fan growing up and so next weekend’s tie is supplied with even more intrigue.

Glass was just delighted to be in the quarter-finals, no matter who Aberdeen are playing. A late Niall McGinn strike earned extra-time for the hosts. Aberdeen had fallen behind in the first-half after Jay Emmanuel-Thomas fired past substitute goalkeeper Gary Woods, who had replaced Joe Lewis just moments earlier.

Lewis sustained a painful rib injury earlier in the half. “It’s a big loss when you lose a goalkeeper like Joe and you have to credit Gary Woods because he was excellent when he came on,” said Glass.

“We will just have to see about Joe’s injury, he's not gone to hospital or anything like that.”

Aberdeen scored a second equaliser in extra-time when on-loan striker Florian Kamberi tapped home his first goal for the club. Emmanuel-Thomas had put Livingston ahead three minutes earlier from the spot.

“I knew they had a mental toughness about them because I have seen the games, but today reinforced it,” said Glass. He even paid tribute to McInnes, who was at the match as a pundit for Premier Sports just over five weeks after leaving Pittodrie. “That says a lot about them as a group and says a lot about the former manager,” said Glass.

“The fact we came back twice against a good, strong Livingston team, I’m delighted for the group of players in there. When you are a goal down in extra time you are always anxious, but we showed a belief.

“The players put trust in us at half-time, we asked them not to panic and in the second half you saw a group of players who believed it. The players showed what it means to them, they showed energy, trust and belief in the structure so I’m just pleased they got their rewards. It has been an emotional week for everyone.”

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