Nicky Devlin hoping to repay Aberdeen fan optimism after Livingston ‘let down’

Nicky Devlin is determined to reward Aberdeen fans for their close-season optimism after feeling he and his team-mates had let the travelling supporters down at Livingston.

The former Livi captain experienced a stalemate against his former team on his Dons debut in West Lothian last weekend.

Aberdeen fans travelled south in numbers and in optimism for the new campaign after their team won nine matches under Barry Robson to seal third spot in the cinch Premiership during last season’s run-in.

One underwhelming draw will not puncture that enthusiasm and Pittodrie will be filled with hope ahead of the visit of champions Celtic on Sunday.

Devlin is excited about his home debut after making his first competitive appearance on familiar ground and he aims to kick-start the Dons’ season.

“From the first day I came in there’s been a buzz about the club and hopefully we will be able to repay everyone for the optimism and excitement that’s been about the place,” the 29-year-old said.

“There’s no better game to do that than welcoming the team that won the league last year for the first home game.”

The right-back added: “We felt like we let ourselves down a wee bit on Saturday. I don’t think we performed anywhere near where we can do, and even where we did the week before at Charlton.

“So that was disappointing but the good thing about football is you are never too far away from being able to put that right and we have an opportunity to do that on Sunday.

“We will go into the game with a game plan to go and win. That’s the way the manager is going to set us up and that’s what we will look to do.

“We know we have to react from last week. Everyone was disappointed in the changing room.

“It’s the first home game and a full house and we will have the bit between our teeth because we know we have to react after last week.”