MIDAS TOUCH
Adam worth his weight in gold to Del as Dons race clear in second
Derek McInnes labelled Adam Rooney worth his weight in gold after the striker’s instincts pushed Aberdeen nine points clear of Rangers in second spot.
The Irishman’s fortunate 17th goal of the campaign was enough for the Reds to overcome Ross County and extend their outstanding recent run to 10 wins in 11 games.
McInnes believes his side did enough to earn their success, even if it required Rooney’s typical sniffing and a spot of luck to seal the deal.
County defender Andrew Davies’ miscued clearance off a Kenny McLean cross cannoned against the hitman and rocketed into the net.
McInnes said: “It’s a mistake from Davies but it comes to nothing if Rooney doesn’t anticipate and take a gamble.
“You watch any highlights. Even when it’s not a goal Rooney is a l wa y s hanging about anticipating a mistake, ready to pounce and take advantage.
“If Rooney just thinks Davies is clearing, the cross goes straight into Scott Fox’s hands.
“But Rooney is on the move hoping something might happen and he’s worth his weight in gold.
“It’s another goal in the six-yard box when other strikers might have knocked off and not taken a gamble.” Wins are almost becoming inevitable with the Dons now. They find a way. Again it was close but they dug it out on a bad pitch as good sides do.
The first hal f was tight. McInnes knew it would be given County were, Celtic apart, the last team to beat his troops up in Dingwall in mid-December.
Jim McIntyre’s team wouldn’t let them settle, with some tasty early tackles eventually leading to Michael Gardyne going in the book for sending McLean to the deck.
Aberdeen had chances, with Fox saving McLean’s drive and Rooney’s bicycle kick before the Irishman was at the centre of the most dangerous moment of the opening period.
Jonny Hayes escaped Paul Quinn and raced clear but his centre for Rooney was just behind the striker’s run and he couldn’t adjust his feet to make clean contact.
County also threatened when Joe Lewis parried an Alex Schalk free- kick and Craig Curran was unable to keep his volley down from the rebound.
Lewis again denied Schalk seconds after the restart and the keeper then had to bundle away a header from Davies.
Almost immediately, Niall McGinn tested Fox from distance before shanking one high and wide.
It always looked like first goal the winner and it was the Dons who got it thanks to Rooney’s strange strike .
With Rangers, Hearts and St Johnstone all crashing to defeat, it has been a perfect weekend for the Dons.
But McInnes insists his team are not safe in second.
He said: “It has quickly gone to such a big lead. But that also suggests it can go quickly the other way.
“There’s still too many games for us to play to think we’re home and hosed.”