The Dons arrive at the game on Saturday having lost just one in ten, a fine run considering it was achieved over a difficult part of the season with so many games and the extreme weather conditions, and in spite of a string of injuries that have hit the squad in the past month. One of the main reasons for the success has been the performances of Rory McArdle who has been in outstanding form. Rory, who has played most of his football at Pittodrie in the right back position, has impressed greatly in his more natural central defensive role, but he's just happy to do his bit for the team.

"It is a little bit frustrating I have not had more games at centre-half during my time at the club but if I am in the team, that is all that matters. If there are injuries and the manager needs to balance the team up and I have to move to another position, then it has to be done. He can't just go out and bring in new players all the time".

Despite not always being a first team regular, Rory is happy to see the new additions that have arrived in the dressing room over the past few weeks.

"We have some real experience in the squad now and it is important to have that balance throughout the club. The experience we have is second to none from Craig and Archie right through to the physios and the playing staff.

"There are lads in the squad like Russell and Stephen Hughes now, there's Youl who joined at the start on the season and now Gavin Rae whose record is up there with the best in the league. When we combine that with the young boys like Ryan Jack, Fraser Fyvie and Clark Robertson and even Jamie Masson and Ryan Fraser who haven't played but are on the fringes of the first-team, then that can only be a good thing.

"Losing Rob Milsom for the season was a big blow for the team. We all know what Rob can do and he is always a top performer in training. He is one of our more creative players and at the minute we need that kind of player with Peter Pawlett being out as well. For him personally it is a blow as I think he was happy with the way he was playing this season. He will just need to get his head down and concentrate on getting fit so he can come back stronger and fitter next season.

"Richard Foster was big player for us on and off the park. Mark Reynolds has come in though and done very well. He works very hard in training and gets involved with the lads off the park. He has settled in really well, he's a good communicator and a pleasure to play beside".

There were rumours that Rory himself might have been moving during the transfer window, but the Northern Ireland International is happy to still be at Pittodrie.

"There was interest in me from another club but the gaffer has made it clear he wants to keep me and I want to stay. The gaffer could have turned to me and said 'away you go' but he has stuck by me and said he wants me at the club. If you are a little low on confidence it gives you a boost. It makes you feel like an asset and that you aren't just there to make up the number. It shows me that if I train hard and work hard then I will get my reward.

"My contract hasn't really been spoken about as of yet but when it comes down to it, you need to be playing games. At the minute I am happy playing games and come the end of the season I would love to stay but that is not my decision. As long as I am playing, then I can only help myself in the gaffer's mind. It is still early doors and I am still an Aberdeen player.

"I am really happy at the club. Although I have not played as many games as I would like have liked, when I do play I really enjoy it and always give everything I have for the team. I am enjoying my football here. The city is great, the fans are great, and it is a good place to be. You only have to look at the support we get, even when we are not where we would want to be in the league. We really appreciate it, especially away from home, like at the St Johnstone game when the weather was horrendous and most people would not even step outside their houses that night. More recently at the Dundee United game, the support was immense. To get a result in the game for them meant a lot.

"Everything seems to be going in the right direction now. The team has kept changing throughout the season, down to injuries, suspensions and new boys coming in but now the lads have started to get used to each other and started to learn each other's strengths and weaknesses. The decisions are starting to go our way and loose balls and fifty-fifties are now falling for us whereas at the start of the season everything seemed to fall for the opposition. In the New Year everyone seems to be looking towards the split, so for us to have this momentum is a real positive.

"Last year we got to two semi-finals and it was a great experience even if we were disappointed at how both results turned out. We want to get there again and this time get into the final; when you are in the final who knows what could happen. We have to take care of the round we are in first and we shouldn't disrespect the opposition. Everyone has seen what has happened to us in the cups and it is not just at Aberdeen, it happens to almost everyone in football. We are looking at this weekend the same as we did against Dunfermline. We need to get out there and get the job done and make sure we are in the hat for the next round.

"We were not too happy with the performance last weekend, we want to perform well and win well but you are always going to get games like that. It was positive that we got the goal and defended like we did. We managed to keep the back door shut and we know that if we keep clean sheets we will win more matches that we draw.

"There is still a lot to play for this season. We have the cup to think about this weekend and we can still finish top six. If you get a good cup run, depending on who you get in the final, there is the possibility of getting into Europe as well".