Can Yengi's first goal ignite his Aberdeen career?

Kusini Yengi has endured a tough introduction to Scottish football. More stumbling start than hitting the ground running.

But in a dominant Aberdeen performance that dispatched Greenock Morton to reach the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup, the Australia striker looked like he might just be starting to find his feet.

Yengi's first goal for the club earned the Dons a maiden victory of the season. Can it ignite his Pittodrie career as Jimmy Thelin's men turn their attention to the Europa League play-off against FCSB?

Yengi was brought to the club from Portsmouth in the summer when loan strikers Kevin Nisbet and Oday Dabbagh both departed after helping Aberdeen end a 35-year wait for Scottish Cup glory.

The pair left a sizeable void, but Yengi had a torrid time on his league debut against Hearts in the Premiership opener. The 26-year-old looked off the pace and offered little to the Aberdeen attack.

Criticism quickly followed and he fared little better in the defeat to Celtic. Given he was injured for most of last season, some of the harsh judgments appeared premature.

But against Morton – admittedly lesser opposition – Yengi showed promising signs which eased the heat on him, fair or otherwise.

He used his towering frame to good effect, winning aerial duels, holding the ball up and bringing others into the game.

Whereas his touch and control often looked clumsy in those opening two matches, at Cappielow he played some clever balls to link-up with team-mates who seemed to be more on his wavelength.

And while his goal was an easy finish into an unguarded net, getting off the mark is vital for any striker at a new club.

"How he was as a target player was really good," Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland.

"I'm also happy for him to score the goal today. He was in the right place and he looked better and better.

"When new players arrive, sometimes it's really quick, sometimes it's six or 12 months [to settle]. But it was nice to see his timing with his team-mates and also that the team-mates start putting the ball into the box.

"We arrived with more opportunities than we did in other games. It was more directness in our game."

From a player who appeared completely devoid of confidence, Yengi looked a different proposition, and as well as the improvement in his attacking play, he also put a shift in for his side.

"I'm really happy with his work for the team," said Sivert Heltne Nilsen, who set the Dons on their way with the opening goal.

"He did really well in the pressing and hard work. If everyone is doing like Kusini did, the goals and the results will come for the whole team.

"He did a really professional performance and I'm so happy for him to also get a goal."

Of course one good performance against a Championship side who, as their manager Dougie Imrie admitted, showed far too much respect to Aberdeen is not enough to convince that the Scottish Cup holders have turned the corner, it is at least a step in the right direction.

"I'm happy how we attacked them today," Thelin added.

"It was more clear. I think the players got better and better timing with each other. And when the timing is there, it's easier to play football."

The acid test of Yengi - and the Dons - will come against FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, in the looming double-header.

The Romanians head to Pittodrie on Thursday and Aberdeen have postponed next weekend's league game with Dundee United before the return leg.

Thelin's side are guaranteed European football but the prestige and money of the Europa League trumps the Conference League, where they will parachute into if beaten by FCSB.

"Now I can switch my head all over to Steaua Bucharest," Nilsen said.

"It's going to be amazing to play a European game at Pittodrie. It's like a dream come true to play in a Europa League play-off.

"I think we have a good chance and we'll do everything to get into the Europa League."