ABERDEEN frontman Adam Rooney insists he will not be redoubling his efforts to reclaim his starting berth from Stevie May – because he already puts in maximum graft.
The Irishman was Derek McInnes’ chief poacher before injury and the arrival of former St Johnstone and Sheffield Wednesday star May cost him his place.
May has made the most of his opportunity, netting three goals in his first four Dons appearances.
But now that Rooney has shaken off the injury which ruled him out for a month, the 29-year-old is determined to put pressure on his strike rival and win back his position.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s Betfred Cup quarter-final at Motherwell, he said: “I was obviously disappointed to get injured after the second game of the season. That put me out for a few weeks and it was frustrating.
“But it’s good to be back now getting some games and I’m raring to go.
“Hopefully I can get myself back in the team and score some more goals to keep myself in there.
“There’s big competition for places here now but I’m always confident if I’m on the pitch I’ll score goals.
“Has the arrival of the new boys like Stevie and Nicky Maynard spurred me? Not really because I always try hard in training and games. Nothing will change that.
“People say there’s more competition now but we’ve always had two or three strikers here. There’s always competition which pushes the whole squad on.
“It’s not just up top, it’s at the back and the middle of the pitch too. It’s a long season so that’s something we’re going to need. I just need to work hard to get back in and hope I can stay there.”
Well have their own in-form frontman in the shape of Louis Moult and Rooney admits his side will have to eradicate the slackness that has seen them stumble with with back-to-back draws against Hearts and Kilmarnock if they are not to slip up again at Fir Park.
He said: “Moult and Ryan Bowman have done really well and caused sides a lot of problems. They work well together and that is something we’re aware of.
“It’s not just those two, though. They are dangerous as a whole team and they are on a good run. They will be confident.
“But we also have our own attacking threats and I’m sure Motherwell will be paying attention to those.
“However, if we’re going to get to a cup final we’re going to have to perform better than we have done.
“There has been elements in those performances where we’ve controlled things. But there has been some moments of slackness that have gone against us.
“However, it’s still a new squad and the lads are gelling together. We’re looking stronger with each game and have shown in glimpses how good we can be.
“Hopefully we can put on a complete performance.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here