CUP DEFEAT CAN’T HALT CONSIDINE’S AMBITIONS
FOR the first time this season, Aberdeen will have to respond to the pain of domestic defeat. It stands as another little test of psychology as they seek to maintain their extraordinary start to the Premiership.
After assembling eight wins from eight in the top flight, they were finally tripped up by a team from the division below. Hibernian’s surprise 2-0 win on Wednesday night ended any hope of Derek McInnes’ side repeating their 2014 League Cup triumph.
McInnes had admitted pre-match that he still viewed knockout competitions as their best chance of gaining further silverware, despite that early five-point lead over Celtic.
Being able to concentrate solely on the league in the weeks ahead was not, therefore, about to be dressed up as some great blessing in disguise.
‘It could help us but if you ask any of the boys in the dressing room or the supporters, we would all have preferred to still be in the cup,’ said defender Andrew Considine (below).
‘We were well warned about Hibs and they bit us on the bum big-time. It was a competition we wanted to progress in, having won it two seasons ago. That was a fantastic achievement.
‘The boys are hurting but we have to pick ourselves up. We’ve been on a fantastic run and we hope to continue that against Inverness on Saturday.’
Clearly, the disappointment of what unfolded at Easter Road was keenly felt. But under McInnes, Aberdeen have shown a tendency to deal with whatever blows come their way. Tomorrow’s visit to face a Caley Thistle team whose form has stabilised provides a demanding scenario in which to continue the trend.
Earlier this season, the Dons reacted to both a first-leg defeat from Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan and an eventual exit from the Europa League by winning t heir subsequent l eague games against Dundee United and Kilmarnock. Last term, it was only once Celtic had formally been confirmed as champions that they lost back-to-back matches against Scottish opposition.
They are hardly short of motivation to again display that durability this weekend. Considine insists all within Pittodrie are determined to make it Premiership win No 9 and extend the club record.
‘ Ever s i nce I have been a young boy and watched Aberdeen from the stands, and then coming through the youths, it has been great,’ said the 28-year-old, who made his debut 11 years ago. ‘ But the start we have made this season has been something special.
‘It shows as we nearly had 3,000 fans down for a Wednesday night at Hibs, which is unbelievable. The faith the fans have in us is also great and another motivation for us.
‘Inverness will be a tough one. It always is up there. It will be a battle but one we will be up for.’
When Aberdeen defeated Celtic earlier this month, it ensured they would surpass the Dons’ previous best start to a league campaign — set by a pre-knighthood Alex Ferguson’s side back in 1984. That has already given Considine something to treasure.
‘It is great when you look back at Sir Alex’s side as he had a squad full of internationalists,’ he added. ‘It was a fantastic time at the club and we are trying hard to bring that back.’
The defender admits, however, that Aberdeen lacked incision against Hibs, who secured their quarter-final place through late goals from Jason Cummings and Dominique Malonga.
‘ I thought that the boys gave everything,’ said Considine. ‘We just weren’t as clinical as we were against Hearts (in last Sunday’s 3-1 win).
‘We did have a couple of chances but didn’t take them and then Cummings has taken a great touch on his chest and cracked it in the bottom corner.
‘I thought it was quite even and it is a sore one to take. Hopefully, we can forget about it and concentrate on Inverness.’
Meanwhile, Caley Thistle boss John Hughes is happy Aberdeen star Graeme Shinnie will miss tomorrow’s game against his former club — but is also relieved his injury isn’t serious.
Hurt in the defeat to Hibs, the ex-Inverness captain was yesterday confirmed as an absentee for the weekend clash.
‘We’ve seen a lot of Aberdeen over the past week and I was really impressed with them against Hearts,’ said Hughes. ‘Shinnie was outstanding. He took a knock against Hibs but I know Graeme’s character. He’s a quick healer. If he was 65per-cent fit, he would have played but it was obviously too much for him. ‘ Gr a e me has been massive for Aberdeen since leaving here. I’ll speak to Derek McInnes after the match and I think the first thing he’ll say is he didn’t think Shinnie was as good a player as he’s shown. ‘ He seems t o have settled straight in and al l credit to him. Hopefully, it’s just a wee knock and he comes back next week.’