FIRHILL FOR BRILLS
Roo back on scoresheet as his Maryhill winner sends Dons clear at top of Premiership
He had to look on as strike rival Stevie May took the limelight last week.
But Aberdeen’s go- to goal grabber Adam Rooney emerged from his shadow at Fir hill yesterday to seal the points for the Dons.
The Irishman might have to play second fiddle to new boy May this term with gaffer Derek McInnes bolstering his attack in the summer.
But Rooney, who bagged 19 goals for the Pittodrie club last term, proved he’s not ready to step aside just yet as Aberdeen’s most prolific hitman.
In a thrilling 90 minutes that saw them lead THREE times, he popped up with a late header after coming off the bench.
McInnes’ men led through Ryan Christie but were pegged back by Chris Erskine and Kris Doolan goals for the Jags.
A Kenny McLean penalty and Scott Wright’s cracker had the visitors in front at 3-2 before Niall Keown levelled again.
And just when it looked as though both sides had earned a point, Rooney showed that his predatory instincts haven’t left him by notching the winner.
The Dons frontman and top scorer for the last three seasons said: “I was desperate to come on and make an impact. I’ve had a frustrating injury and this is my season just starting now.
“I don’t think I had to prove a point today – I’ve done that over the last few years.
“We have so many options going forward now so we always feel like we’ll get goals.
“There have always been strikers brought in during my time at the club. But that has helped me and it won’t be any different this season.
“I want to play every week and score goals.”
On the final day of last season, Aberdeen rattled six past Thistle without reply.
And the Dons looked in a similar mood early on especially with the attacking line- up McInnes had picked.
Apart from centre-backs Anthony O’Connor and Andy Considine, every other player in a blue shirt were all forward thinkers.
With seconds on the clock the visitors were on the front foot as May’s shot was stopped by Tomas Cerny.
And when Christie put the Dons in front after four minutes, that 6- 0 drubbing must have been on everyone’s mind.
Shay Logan played a one-two with May on the edge of the box and the full-back’s skewed shot fel l into the path of the unmarked on-loan Celt.
Christie kept his composure to tuck it past Cerny.
At that point, you feared the worst for Alan Archibald’s side.
But the Thistle boss got a terrific response, even if Aberdeen’s sloppiness will have left McInnes perplexed.
He’d taken the decision to deploy skipper Graeme Shinnie at left- back instead of his normal berth in midfield.
But unusually both of Par tick’ s first two goals originated from his mistakes.
Firstly, as May looked for a ball over the top Shinnie played it short and it was cut out.
Blair Spittal fed Erskine and his low drive beat Joe Lewis to nestle in the bottom corner.
Referee Bobby Madden’s first real involvement came when he waved away an Aberdeen penalty claim when it looked like Stuart Bannigan had upended Christie in the box.
But he’d make up for that decision before long. In the meantime, Thistle got their second through Doolan.
Spittal’s corner cannoned off McLean in the six- yard box forcing Lewis to make a point-blank save.
But the Jags hitman was on hand to blast home the rebound.
It was a stunning comeback from the Firhi ll men and Aberdeen were shell- shocked to be 2-1 down.
While Madden had infuriated the Dons earlier, he was about to become public enemy No.1 for the Jags supporters.
The whistler was having a bad day at the office anyway but he then offered Aberdeen a way back into the game.
Just before the break, Christie went down again with Bannigan at his back and, after consulting with assistant Graeme Stewart, he pointed to the spot.
It looked a soft one and it enraged the Firhill faithful.
McLean sent Cerny the wrong way for 2-2 and Madden was the villain of the piece. Incredibly, it might even have been 3-2 for Aberdeen before the break if not for a cracking save from Czech keeper Cerny.
Christie’s overhead volley looked destined for the top corner before he clawed it wide.
That would have been the day’s best strike but youngster Wright claimed that award early in the second half.
His initial pass found Shinnie and when he got it back he curled a magnificent effort beyond Cerny.
It was a phenomenal hit from the Dons kid and you felt that would surely put McInnes’ team in the driving seat again.
But Thistle were having none of it.
A be rde en ha d looked ropey defending corners all day and they were outdone by another Spittal delivery.
His whipped cross was met by Keown whose downward header beat Lewis for 3-3.
Wright skied a shot coming in off the left flank then Cerny denied Christie with a tidy stop.
And in the end, the Dons pressure paid off with Rooney’s late winner.
Christie curled a brilliant ball into the box and the Irishman f licked in a header that had McInnes jumping for joy.
In injury time Thistle ace Keown was sent off for a second yellow after a lunge on McLean.