DONS WON’T JUST KLINGON
SAINTS SWEPT ASIDE Reds prove they have the Enterprise for scrap with Rangers
ADAM ROONEY managed to ballsy go where no man has gone before when he traded barbs with Star Trek legend William Shatner over the size of their baubles.
And the Irishman and his Aberdeen team-mates last night proved they have the cahonas for a fight for second with back-to-back league wins for the first time in two months.
Rooney and American actor Shatner traded hilarious exchanges on social media this week after both posted pictures holding baubles for the Christman tree.
It was all in the name of charity after pledging their support to Cahonas Scotland, a charity raising awareness of testicular and prostate cancer.
And Rooney was no shrinking violet in Perth as he ended a nine-game drought with his first goal since putting three past St Johnstone in the Granite City.
The Reds were in irresistible form as a second 3-0 win over Saints this season showed Rangers they won’t be giving up their Premiership runners-up spot without a fight.
Kari Arnason and Ryan Christie were also on the scoresheet as Derek McInnes’s men stayed third in the table only on goal difference.
And Rooney and Co will have won admiring glances after they made a sizeable impression at McDiarmid Park.
McInnes’s men had lost only one of their last 14 Premiership games on the road while Saints were without a win in Perth since September 23.
Ex-Saints hitman Stevie May was back at McDiarmid for the first time since heading to Sheffield Wednesday a little more than three years ago.
And his return almost took a nightmare turn seven minutes in when he was robbed by Joe Shaughnessy in the middle of the park.
Stefan Scougall beat Graeme Shinnie to cross for Murray Davidson who slammed an effort off Anthony O’Connor before sclaffing inches wide at the second time of asking. The Reds responded immediately with Richard Foster forced to block Shinnie’s smashed volley.
But the Dons were one up 20 minutes in thanks to a lovely move down the left as Greg Stewart picked out Rooney with a cross.
The Irishman then smoothly side-footed home from 10 yards for his first since a hat-trick against the same side on the last day of September.
May reminded Saints fans what he’s capable of with a shot that cannoned off the crossbar after Christie released him with an exquisite pass.
And 25-year-old May served up the assist for Aberdeen’s second as the home defence failed to deal with his corner, allowing Arnason to bundle home at the back post. Shinnie joined Saints’ Michael O’Halloran in the book for a crude challenge on Scougall, his ninth yellow in 16 Premiership games.
Joe Lewis then denied Steven MacLean – back in Saints’ line-up after sitting out Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hamilton – with his legs minutes after the veteran striker failed to divert Shaugnessy’s cross goalward.
Kenny McLean hammered an effort that was well held by Saints No.1 Zander Clark moments before the break as Dons team-mate Greg Stewart went on to volley Shay Logan’s cross over moments after it.
With seven minutes of the second half gone Rooney blasted over from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy as Steven Anderson’s wayward attempt at a headed backpass went unpunished. But Saints were not so lucky on 59 minutes when Christie stepped up for a free-kick after David Wotherspoon pulled back Stewart.
The Celtic loan star fired in an effort that struck the wall and soared past a helpless Clark as Aberdeen ate into Rangers’ advantage on goal difference.
That prompted McInnes to replace May with defender Andrew Considine before Shinnie went on to unleash a 25-yard shot that rose high over the top 10 minutes from time.
The arrival of Saints’ new hitman David McMillan in January surely can’t come quick enough for Tommy Wright with his seventh-placed side only scoring more than bottom dogs Partick this season.
Reds subs Nicky Maynard and Gary Mackay-Steven combined six minutes from time before the latter flashed a shot inches wide.
But it was all over as the Dons made it two from two since McInnes announced his decision to stay put at Pittodrie.