Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
McInnes hails Dons for response after Celtic humiliation at Pittodrie
ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes has praised his under-pressure squad for bouncing back from their Celtic humiliation.
The Reds were slaughtered by supporters and critics for the recent 4-0 loss where all Celtic’s goals came in the first half.
McInnes demanded an immediate reaction and set a target of maximum points from the remaining three games before the international break.
Aberdeen have delivered six with back-to-back wins against Hamilton and Kilmarnock.
They travel to Ross County on Saturday before the Premiership goes into a week’s shutdown for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
McInnes said: “There was a bit of scrutiny on us after Celtic and I think the players have done extremely well to win both games both with clean sheets.
“It is just a start for us and, hopefully, we can go on and get a third win in a row against Ross County next week and go into the international break feeling a bit better about ourselves.”
McInnes opted to par tner strikers Sam Cosgrove and Curtis Main in a 4-4-2 system against a Kilmarnock side struggling to field recognised centre-backs due to injury and suspension.
It paid off with Main netting his first competitive goal for the Dons since his summer move.
Cosgrove also scored to take his t all y for t he season to 16 goals.
McInnes said: “We also hit the post so it was good to get the third goal to add a bit of polish to the result.
“Kilmarnock don’t normally lose too many goals so I am pleased with that scoreline against them.”