CLINICAL DONS SHOW NO MERCY
Familiar foe Rooney leads the charge as Dons destroy Saints
THERE was a warm welcome for returning hero Stevie May as St Johnstone’s Scottish Cup winner was in action at McDiarmid Park for the first time since leaving the club in 2014.
But Saints fans were left cursing a reunion with another familiar foe as Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney once more twisted the knife into the Perth side.
In a surreal episode earlier this week, the flame-haired Dons frontman had joined forces on social media with Star Trek actor William Shatner to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
After scoring a hat-trick in his side’s 3-0 victory over Tommy Wright’s men at Pittodrie back in September, it was no surprise it was Rooney who set his phasers to stun St Johnstone once again last night, giving his side lift-off with a 20th-minute opener.
Further goals for a dominant Aberdeen from Kari Arnason and a deflected Ryan Christie free-kick continued the sense of all being right in the world again for the Dons.
The protracted, ultimately failed, pursuit of Derek McInnes by Rangers had left the club wobbling, picking up seven points from an available 18.
But they have now picked up maximum points from the two matches played after the 46-year-old boss confirmed he was staying in the Granite City.
And they looked back to their formidable best in this encounter. Only a Rangers turnaround at Easter Road stopped McInnes’ men reclaiming the second spot that they have made their own in recent years. But this was still a very pleasing night for the Dons at a notoriously difficult venue.
Saints, for their part, were undone by poor defending and a lack of a cutting edge in attack.
January can’t come quick enough after the club announced before kick-off the signing of prolific Dundalk striker David McMillan, who will join in the new year. The striker, who turns 29 today, has penned a two-and-a-half year contract and scored 17 goals as Dundalk finished runners-up in the League of Ireland. McMillan also has European pedigree, having scored in qualifying matches for the Champions League and Europa League, and Wright believes he will hit the ground running. ‘David’s a player I’ve known for quite some time and the time was right to make a move,’ said the Saints boss before kick-off. ‘He has good experience of a higher level than just the League of Ireland. He’s a hard-worker, a good age and without doubt capable of the step up.’ Wright made two changes from the side that won 1-0 at Hamilton on Saturday. Out dropped Blair Alston and Callum Hendry and back came Paul Paton and Steven MacLean. Aberdeen recalled Arnason and May for Frank Ross and Andrew Considine. It was the home side that created the first chance. Joe Shaughnessy dispossessed May before sending Stefan Scougall scampering away. The move ended with Murray Davidson’s shot striking Anthony O’Connor, before the Saints man sclaffed a second effort just wide. Up at the other end, Graeme Shinnie saw a shot cannon back off Richard Foster. But the opening goal was around the corner. Greg Stewart picked the ball up on the left and cut it ball into the path of Rooney, who picked his spot with aplomb.
May was then gifted a chance to score against his old club after a delicious defence-splitting pass from Christie.
But with just goalkeeper Zander Clark to beat, the former Saints striker’s fierce shot cannoned back off the crossbar.
But May had a hand in the second goal. His deep corner eventually found its way to the back post, where Arnason was lurking.
The Iceland international headed into the empty net from two yards for his second goal of the season.
Saints tried valiantly to grab a goal back before the break but found Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis in inspired form.
First, MacLean saw a shot on the turn saved well by the keeper. Michael O’Halloran was next to try his luck but Lewis was equal to his fierce 20-yard drive.
But Aberdeen should have extended their lead in the second half when Shay Logan crossed for Stewart. But the on-loan Birmingham City forward’s volley was high and wild.
The third arrived soon afterwards, though, when Ryan Christie’s 25-yard free-kick took a horrible deflection and flew past Clark and into the net.
It was game over and a series of substitutions on both sides failed to add any further scoring.
Gary Mackay-Steven came the closest, flashing a shot wide of goal and Arnason then saw long-range shot deflected narrowly wide.
But Aberdeen were content to see the match out and did so with ease in an impressive display of game management.
When Rooney was replaced by Nicky Maynard with 13 minutes remaining, he departed to a hero’s reception from the travelling Red Army.
There was not too much for the St Johnstone fans to cheer and they jeered at the full-time whistle.
But they can take comfort from the fact they are not scheduled to see Rooney again until the teams next meet at Pittodrie on March 31.