Ayoub Mouloua came off the bench to score Aberdeen's third goal in a 3-1 win over St Mirren at Pittodrie, despite having done no contact training all week after following concussion protocols.
The Moroccan striker was withdrawn during last weekend's defeat to St Johnstone with a head knock. Aberdeen put him through the concussion protocols, which meant he was not allowed to do any contact training ahead of the St Mirren clash.
Mouloua was restricted to cycling on the bike to maintain his fitness, but he was in peak condition when he came on and netted the clincher.
Concussion Protocol Process
Manager Stephen Robinson revealed the process Mouloua had to follow. "It was a head knock and he had to follow all the concussion protocols," Robinson said.
"There is a six day protocol before you can return to full training. You are able to do little bits. Each day has to be ticked off and he managed to do that. He didn't train all week. He was able to cycle on the bike, that was it. Kevin (Nisbet) was able to do a little bit more. It was a tough decision."
This was the summer signing's second Premiership goal, and Robinson confirmed the 24-year-old has given him something to think about ahead of Saturday's trip to Tannadice.
Manager's Praise for Goal and Captain
"He has given me food for thought. We want to play forward and it was epitomised by Ayoub's goal. It was a great finish and goalscorers are hard to find," Robinson said.
Captain Kevin Nisbet also had fitness issues before the game. He played despite a hamstring problem and scored from the rebound after Jacob Chapman saved his penalty.
"Kevin probably could have had two more goals. He is vital to us. His reaction in the second half in terms of leading the line and pressing the way he did, that takes the team up when the two strikers press," Robinson said. "It was credit to Kevin for getting through that after not training all week."
Substitutes Make an Impact
Mouloua was not the only substitute to impress. Stuart Armstrong and Tony Yogane were introduced at the break with the score at 1-1, and Emmanuel Gyamfi played the final 15 minutes.
"The subs were excellent. It (Armstrong coming on for Conor Ronan) was just a change at half-time to give us more control of the game, which Stuart did," Robinson said.
"Ayoub also came on and scored. He gave us that press we didn't have. Tony won the penalty and Ema did well. They have all had a contribution to the game. That is why you have the squad.
"When some people aren't doing it you have the luxury of bringing a like for like player in. Those changes made a difference. Stuart gives us a pass and forward-thinking. He was terrific when he came on. All four of them were terrific."
Defensive Foundations Praised
Robinson also praised the defenders, saying they laid the foundations for the win. "I thought they were very, very good. They didn't have loads to do. They didn't have anything to do in the second half. What they had to do they did very well," he said.
"I thought Mats (Knoester) was outstanding. It was probably Lewis (Mayo)'s best game for us. So those are real positives for us. The negative was that we started bright, sit back and everyone else is sitting back waiting to make it happen.
"The second half we stepped forward with a real positivity and that got the crowd behind us. It mean so much when you have the crowd behind you."
