Glass: Handling difficult situations is what makes a manager

Stephen Glass admits he endured a testing time as Aberdeen struggled for a win, but says he stuck to his principles throughout.

Glass has seen his side beat Hibs and Hearts, and draw with Rangers at Ibrox, in their last three games but that spell was preceded by a 10-game stretch without a victory.

That difficult run saw questions asked about Glass, who took on his first job as first team manager when he returned to Pittodrie last season.

The Dons boss said he had to stick true to his beliefs and has seen the rewards.

“I was definitely tested,” he said. “Firstly, you’re tested in your belief in what you’re doing. I was tested in how to manage a group of players who were not getting what they deserved.

“I read a top manager saying management is very easy when you’re winning, but managing difficult situations is what makes a manager.

“I’m still young and very much learning. I’m new in this role at this club but I think we’re doing alright as a staff.

“The biggest, most important thing for me is we’ve got a great group of players. Anytime there’s a lack of belief in a group of football players, it shows on the pitch but I think you can see we have a group of players who believe in the staff here.

“In terms of sticking to our principles, we’ve done that, and it wasn’t blindly done either.”

The manager is now looking to stretch the unbeaten run to four matches as Aberdeen face Motherwell before the international break, and he hopes the fans’ backing will continue, having highlighted how they helped the side earn three points last weekend.

“When the fans see what they want to see, there’s no doubting the Aberdeen public will get behind the team,” he said. “The biggest indication was coming off at half-time when we got applauded even though we’d just lost a goal to go 1-0 down.

“The response from the fans was incredible and it made it easier for the staff to push the players for the second half. It all came together last week and it’s important that continues. It’s important we give the fans something to get behind.”