ABERDEEN boss Mark McGhee lavished praise on skipper Paul Hartley following his side's emphatic Clydesdale Bank Premier League opening day victory against Hamilton.
The former Bristol City and Celtic midfielder enjoyed a dream debut, scoring a hat-trick of penalties at Pittodrie.
Zander Diamond also netted as the Dons ran out 4-0 winners to earn their first opening day home win in 16 years.
McGhee said: "Paul's performance and leadership out there was invaluable. Having the luck to get three penalties and a hat-trick on his debut is the stuff that legends are made of. It was brilliant for us all to be part of that."
And the Dons' manager believes there is no reason why the midfielder can't force his way back into the Scotland set-up if he continues to perform in the same manner.
"He knows he has to perform like that every week," said McGhee. "He will get tremendous confidence from what has happened.
"The crowd and the players around him will also have tremendous confidence in him. If he stays healthy and we continue to improve then there is no reason why he can't work his way back into it."
Source: PA
Source: PA