McInnes: 'Talismanic' striker Cosgrove can drive Aberdeen on

Derek McInnes is hopeful Sam Cosgrove’s recent goals are the early signs of a hot streak that can boost his side this season.

The Aberdeen striker had found goals hard to come by after returning from the serious knee injury that wiped out the start of the season.

The 24-year-old has scored against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone in his last three games though, prompting hopes from McInnes that he is rediscovering the form that has seen him finish as the club’s top striker in the last two seasons.

“It’s fair to say that big Sam has not had his problems to seek this season,” the Aberdeen boss said.

“He picked up a serious injury in pre-season coming off the back of the long lockdown lay-off, so he’s taken a bit longer to find his feet than people may have expected.

“It’s been about trying to build up his sharpness, his confidence and his general play.

“But if he can score goals as he’s working towards his best then great.

“Having him and Curtis Main available to lead the line for us is fantastic as there has been times this season where we’ve not had striker options.

“Sam has always been an important player over the last couple of seasons and the fact he’s scored a couple of goals of late should give him the confidence to really kick on.

“There have been so many of our stats that have been good this year but we could still be doing with that talismanic striker at the top end who can really catch fire and score goals week in and week out.

“Sam is showing he can do that and hopefully between him and Curtis they can provide the goals that we’re looking for from our strikers.”

Aberdeen are preparing to face Livingston on Wednesday evening, with the opposition in stunning form under new manager David Martindale.

He’s certainly making it look easy,” McInnes said. “Livingston has been a brilliant story over the last three or four years.

“It started out with a good friend of mine, Davie Hopkin, with the job he did in securing back-to-back promotions to take the club back to the top flight.

“Gary then took over and continued so much of the good work – and now Davie gets his opportunity.

“There has been some brilliant work done at Livingston and it seems right that Davie gets his go now. He’s been part of the staff and he certainly deserves the opportunity and what a start he has made.

“It’s a tough game for us regardless, but when they have that added ingredient of full confidence it makes it even more difficult.”