MY JOE MIGHTY

Derek McInnes hailed keeper Joe Lewis after his stunning show kept Dons joint top.

The Aberdeen No.1 pulled off five brilliant saves at Murrayfield to deny Craig Levein a dream start in his first game back in the Hearts dugout.

Dons gaffer McInnes

insisted his side could have had an early penalty for a foul on Adam Rooney. But he admitted that on the whole they were thankful to get away with a goalless draw.

McInnes said: “We have our keeper to thank for making good saves, as well as our defenders for making tackles and blocks.

“But a good goalkeeper will win you points when you’re not at your best. We’re grateful to have him. Every now and again I’m asked about Joe but he’s not usually too busy.

“It’s his best performance this season but we had a number of games last year where he made the difference.

“His concentration is so good and he fills the goals brilliantly. He just seems to have a calmness and assurance that says ‘I’m dealing with this’ and top keepers have got that.”

McInnes said of Christophe Berra’s apparent tug on Rooney in the box : “I have looked at it again and there’s no criticism of ref Craig Thomson because he’s following the ball.

“But Berra is wrong side of Rooney and he pulls him. Whether it’s put Adam off, I don’t know.”