Dons put cup defeat behind them with win over Killie

KILMARNOCK 0 ABERDEEN 2

Aberdeen made a welcome return to form with a 2-0 win at Rugby Park.

The Pittodrie side’s strength of character was questioned by boss Derek McInnes following their William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Motherwell the week before.

The Dons responded to extend their unbeaten run over Killie to 20 matches.

“I wouldn’t say that fired us up but the manager takes a lot of flak and he takes the heat off us when it is sometimes down to the players,” said player Shay Logan.

“I wasn’t playing last week but everyone knew it wasn’t good enough at Hampden and that we needed a big performance.

“We’re not in the cup any more but we still have five games to finish as high up the league as we can, so you can’t dwell on that too much.”

Kenny McLean fired Aberdeen ahead on 37 minutes as he drilled home from 25 yards out, while Logan made sure of the points with the second on the hour mark.

Alan Power insists Kilmarnock will not give up on their Europa League despite the defeat – Killie’s first loss in 12 league games – which left them seven points behind Hibernian and a potential Euro ticket.

However, with four games left Irish midfielder Power is determined to fight on.

He told Press Association Sport: “You could possibly say Aberdeen are a bogey team for us. There is something in that.

“Obviously every time we come up against them I always believe we can beat them and so do all the lads.

“But it hasn’t happened this season and we’ll need to rectify that next year.

“I suppose their run of form against us shows the respect they have for us. They always give us a good battle.”