The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dons close gap to Well as Mcinnes targets third spot
Aberdeen boss Derek Mcinnes admitted it was “so important” his side finish the season in third after victory over 10-man Hibernian moved them to within a point of the Premiership’s top three.
The Dons closed the gap to Motherwell in third with a 3-1 win, ahead of Friday night’s trip to Fir Park as the two sides battle it out for Europa League qualification.
Christian Doidge put Hibs in front late in the first half, but Steven Whittaker’s red card proved the turning point and Aberdeen hit back through Adam Jackson’s own goal and strikes from Andrew Considine and Curtis Main.
Mcinnes said: “I’m not really interested in how true the league table looks just now. It’s so important that we finish third at the end of the season.
“Clubs like Aberdeen should be playing meaningful games at this stage of the season.
“We’ve got ourselves in a situation through inconsistency, particularly either side of the new year, but what we have to do is mirror the consistency of performance and results we’ve shown away from home, at home.
“If we do that we won’t be far away.”
Hibs manager Jack Ross has set his sights on a top-six place but admits it will be a challenge with only three games before the split.
He said: “It’s never felt like six teams would break away from the others and I imagine it’ll continue to be the same.”
Conor Washington netted his second goal in three days to earn Hearts a point from a 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Tynecastle.
Christopher Long brought Hearts back down to earth following their wins over Rangers and Hibs as he capitalised on Craig Halkett’s mistake to give the visitors a 21st-minute lead, but Washington followed up his Edinburgh derby goal as he netted from close range.
Marios Ogkmpoe scored a late penalty as Hamilton beat Kilmarnock 1-0 to boost Accies’ hopes of surviving in the top flight.
Hamilton suffered a blow when Mikel Miller saw red in the 78th minute but they managed to claim all the points when Ogkmpoe converted from the spot at the death.