BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR TOP TARGET McINNES
Dons win a frantic duel as McInnes watches on for maybe the last time
WHETHER or not this was Derek McInnes’ last match as Aberdeen boss remains to be seen, but if this was his farewell, what a thrilling, end-to-end clash to depart with.
Goals from Ryan Christie and Kenny McLean secured a win for the home side, after Michael Gardyne had given Ross County a shock lead. It took Aberdeen to within one point of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, just three days after being outclassed by the league champions.
McInnes is favourite to replace Pedro Caixinha at Rangers. The Ibrox board are expected to make an official approach for his services in the coming days.
The 46-year-old spent five years of his playing career in Govan between 1995 and 2000 and is viewed by many as a natural fit to succeed the Portuguese flop.
It is expected that Rangers would have to cough up nearly £1million in compensation to the Dons.
McInnes has been coy on the topic since Caixinha was sacked on Thursday, saying that he is enjoying his time in the north east and that the speculation has not been a distraction.
He adopted a similar tone in March when Mark Warburton departed Rangers and he was linked with replacing the Englishman, but Aberdeen were not approached by Rangers on that occasion, as they are expected to be this time around.
But, for now, McInnes is in charge at Pittodrie, and he oversaw a frantic encounter with Owen Coyle’s County. The visitors took the lead thanks to a blunder from Joe Lewis after eight minutes.
The North Sea wind was causing havoc on the pitch, but it was no excuse for Lewis’s attempt at catching Gardyne’s effort.
It was a tame strike from 30 yards which looked harmless, but when Lewis stuck his arms out to his right to catch the ball, it bounced off his midriff and into the bottom corner. It was the shock which kicked the game into life.
Four minutes later, the hosts were level. Christie, who had not played during the midweek defeat to Celtic, drove towards the County goal, playing a neat one-two with Stevie May at the edge of the box, before lashing his left-foot effort in to the top corner. Aaron McCarey dived but he stood no chance such was the ferocity of the shot.
McLean, who has told McInnes he will not be renewing his contract at Aberdeen, went close with a driven effort from 30 yards, before Graeme Shinnie, playing at left-back, nearly caught out McCarey with a cross which drifted just over the bar with the help of the wind.
County were pragmatic in Coyle’s first four matches in charge, but there was an openness to their play yesterday which caused Aberdeen problems. Sean Kelly’s cross was collected by Craig Curran, who took advantage of Scott McKenna slipping to earn himself a few yards of space, but he was impressively denied by Lewis.
Gardyne forced another good stop from Lewis when Jason Naismith crossed the ball into the box, but it was a poor effort considering how much time he had to steady himself.
Kelly had to be alert at the other end to cut out Shinnie’s superb low cross which would have been met by Christie at the back post. McLean was denied by a diving McCarey and Christie poked wide from six yards when Scott Wright dinked the ball into his path. However, Aberdeen could not find another before half-time.
Just six minutes after the break they were gifted the opportunity to take the lead.
Jamie Lindsay brought down Shinnie in the box and McLean converted the resultant spot-kick. McLean, like his manager, has been linked with a move to Edmiston Drive, but he was cheered by the home support as he celebrated in front of the Richard Donald stand.
Christie rattled the bar from 25 yards and substitute Adam Rooney rolled his foot over the ball in front of an empty net after some good build-up play by Nicky Maynard, but Aberdeen struggled to find a third. County made a late, valiant charge but could not break down a stubborn red rearguard. ABERDEEN (4-2-3-1): Lewis; Logan, Arnason, McKenna, Shinnie; O’Connor, McLean; Stewart (Rooney 72), Christie, Wright (Mackay-Steven 72); May (Maynard 58). Subs (not used): Rogers, Reynolds, Considine, Tansey. Booked: McKenna, Christie, Shinnie. ROSS COUNTY (4-5-1): McCarey; Naismith, Fraser, van der Weg (Routis 80), Kelly; Gardyne, O’Brien (Schalk 75), Draper, Lindsay, Keillor-Dunn (Dow 66); Curran 6. Subs (not used): Munro, Chow, Mikkelsen, Mckay. Booked: Draper, Naismith. Referee: Don Robertson. Attendance: 13,918.