UP FOUR THE CUP
Dons warm up for semi with goalfest
Derek McInnes watched his Aberdeen side turn on the style in their Ross County rout at Pittodrie.
But the Dons boss insists he’ll settle for any kind of display against Morton – who beat Queen of the South 5- 0 yesterday – if it books their League Cup Final place next weekend.
The Reds head to Hampden on a high after the romp over the Staggies who had Tim Chow sent off midway through the first half.
A def lected Jonny Hayes strike set them on their way with Shay Logan adding a second before the break. Niall McGinn and sub Jayden Stockley sealed a fifth win on the spin.
McInnes said: “It was a strong performance and I’ve got to be pleased with another four goals and a clean sheet.
“I said after the semi f inal d raw it was vital to put it to one side and get good league form going into it.
“The level of the performance from a few players individually has gone up since then.
“Morton had a great result against Queen of the South and they’ll be confident but it’s good for us to see them at their best. It’s not a bigger occasion for Morton than it is for ourselves.
“Yes it’s our fourth semi final in just over three years, but we didn’t get there regularly for a long time so it’s a big deal.
“I want us to play well and bring a performance but it’s all about getting through. Semi f inals can be nervy, scrappy affairs because of the desperation to get a result.
“But it’s all about getting through and hopefully we’re good enough to do that. Results like this and the run we’ve been on definitely helps going into it.”
This one was Aberdeen’s biggest home win since beating County by the same scoreline in February 2015.
The only downside was an injury to Ash Taylor which is likely to rule him out of the last four clash with Morton.
While the Dons are on a high County are now without a win in six and just three points off bottom spot ahead of their trip to Partick Thistle next week.
McInnes was forced into an early change when Taylor limped off with just five minutes on the clock and Mark Reynolds took his place in the heart of defence. The home side had a lucky escape when Craig Curran found himself clear at the edge of the box but with only Joe Lewis to beat the Staggies striker sent a tame effort into the keeper’s arms.
Aberdeen did have the ball in the net at the other end when Adam Rooney headed home James Maddison’s free kick but the linesman’s flag for offside cut the celebrations short. Hayes opened the scoring as Aberdeen’s pressure paid off with the winger cutting in from the left and his shot was deflected off Marcus Fraser beyond Scott Fox.
The Highlanders’ uphill task became even worse a couple of minutes later when Chow was given his marching orders for a two-footed lunge on Hayes.
Aberdeen took full advantage of that extra man and doubled their lead before the break with James Maddison showing some great skill in the build-up.
The on loan Norwich City man’s backheel teed up Graeme Shinnie whose shot was saved only for Logan to score his first of the season from the rebound.
The Highlanders tried to hit back but Michael Gardyne was denied twice with Joe Lewis saving before the County star’s second effort hit the woodwork.
McGinn failed to make the most of a couple of decent opportunities before making it third time lucky when the Northern Irishman rif led in a third for the Dons from Logan’s cut back. Stockley was only on the pitch seven minutes when he added a fourth in 78 minutes. The former Bou rnemouth man’s initial shot was saved but Hayes played him in from the re b ou nd and he sent a shot in off the post.