ABERDEEN drew a competitive friendly fixture with big-spending Dundee, in what was their final game in preparation for the huge Europa League Third Qualifying Round match at Pittodrie on Thursday.
Zander Diamond took the captain's armband, and Andy Considine started after suffering an injury in the week. Ricky Foster missed out but is expected to be fit for Thursday.
The Dons made the perfect start as Stuart Duff set up Sone Aluko for the opening goal after only 15 seconds.
Subsequently it was all Aberdeen with Dundee rarely threatening the goal. On the one occasion that they did, Eric Paton fired home a free kick from 18 yards as the Dons defensive wall looked weak.
Rab Douglas saved a Lee Miller spot kick in the 45th minute before the game petered out after half time.
Mark McGhee was pleased enough with the players but added that he was focusing on elements other than the performance.
He said: "I was looking for aspects of play we have been working on, understanding in terms of the things we have been asking them to do, elimination of things we maybe did the other night in Peterhead that we are trying to cut out.
"Overall as an exercise it was good.
"It is about the things I see with individuals that I can go away and work on and improve so I am ready to prepare a team for Thursday night such as playing from the back, making less poor decisions at the back, looking at the balls we were playing down the channels which Stuart Duff did do very well in the first half.
"It is not just about playing the ball into feet, you have to mix it up a bit to keep the opposition guessing."
Goalscorer Aluko and captain Diamond were both substituted after suffering knocks, but McGhee is confident both will be available for Thursday's crunch game with Sigma Olomouc.
He said: "Sone came off for protection. He is fit and sharp enough so he did not need another 45 minutes. He started preparing for Thursday night at half time. Zander should hopefully be okay as well."
Aberdeen: Langfield, Mulgrew, Duff, McDonald, Diamond (Holm), Considine, Young (Ross), Kerr, Miller (Stewart), Paton (Mackie), Aluko (Maguire)
| Thu 30th July | 7:45pm | SK Sigma Olomouc/ |
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen |
| Thu 6th August | 7:45pm | SK Sigma Olomouc/ |
Andrův Stadium, Olomouc, Czech Republic |
| Sun 9th August | 3:00pm | Hull City | KC Stadium, Hull |
