Upbeat Youl Mawene invigorated by Aberdeen’s unbeaten run

ABERDEEN defender Youl Mawene feels there is plenty to look forward to after returning to an improved side in the last week.

The 32-year-old came back into the team after a six-week injury lay-off during which the Dons did not lose.

Aberdeen are on the verge of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League top six ahead of the visit of St Johnstone tomorrow and Mawene helped them secure a William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final against Motherwell with victory over Queen of the South on Tuesday.

Mawene said: “A lot of things have changed over the last few weeks. We have picked up a few more points and only lost one in 13.

“We know performances haven’t really been there but I think we are in a good position to really push on. We have the target of top six and maybe more and we have the cup run as well. There is a lot to look forward to.”

Mawene is taking nothing for granted against a Saints side who lost 5-1 to Dundee United last weekend before bowing out of the cup against Hearts.

“It is always tricky with us because we never know which team is going to turn up,” he said. The key is to focus on our own performance. Our performances haven’t been that good but the points have been there and we haven’t been defeated for a while, but I think there is definitely room for improvement. A lot of new players have come in and there is more competition for places and we are looking to finish the season well.

“The team spirit is really excellent and there is a good bunch of lads trying to work hard for the team.”

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas, meanwhile, is feeling hard done by after a string of luckless performances.

Without a win in four games, Lomas believes the Scottish Cup replay defeat to Hearts in midweek epitomises their recent unfortunate streak and remains angry at the decision to award a last-gasp penalty for a Alan Maybury foul on Suso Santana, which allowed Jamie Hamill to step up to force extra-time.

“We are bitterly disappointed with it,” said the Saints manager. “We feel we haven’t had, shall I say, the rub of the green from decisions over the last three or four weeks. The penalty decision I have seen umpteen times now and it wasn’t a penalty.”