DONS SINK SAINTS BUT McKENNA INJURY IS BIG CONCERN FOR SCOTS
GIVEN the pain inflicted on Aberdeen on their previous trips to Paisley this season, battling through the elements to seal this last-eight triumph is something to cherish.
The fact there were only two goals scored? Well, perhaps it was too much to ask for a repeat of the crazy contest in which the Dons prevailed at Kilmarnock in the previous round. Netting two late goals to secure a 4-3 extra-time victory in that replay gave Derek McInnes’ men belief.
And now, having overcome St Mirren to clinch their fourth successive semi-final spot in this tournament, there is optimism among the Red Army that they may finally end their 30-year wait to lift the trophy.
In a game of little quality, Lewis Ferguson produced a terrific finish after just seven minutes.
The midfielder’s clever outside-of-the-boot strike was eye-catching.
Aberdeen battled on a bumpy pitch against a Saints side who offered little in attack.
The job was completed in stoppage-time when striker Sam Cosgrove emerged from the bench to slot home a penalty.
The only negative was the sight of Scott McKenna limping off seven minutes into the second half, appearing to hold his hamstring. He was replaced by Mikey Devlin. McInnes later revealed McKenna is a doubt for Scotland’s upcoming 2020 play-off against Israel.
What a change this was from January, when a 0-0 draw here in the Premiership left Aberdeen fans enraged — with some even calling for the head of a manager whose only trophy success remains a League Cup triumph in 2014.
Add in a 1-0 loss back in August and this has not been a pleasant venue in recent times for the Dons.
McInnes punched the air at full-time here — a crucial cup tie navigated, with all eyes now on today’s draw.
Through the hellish conditions, the travelling 1,800 Dons supporters witnessed another change in the frontline for their team. The partnership of Cosgrove and Curtis Main was tested last week but another dire defeat at Pittodrie, this time to Ross County, left much to be desired.
Cosgrove was back on the bench, with Main supported on either side in attack by Niall McGinn and Matty Kennedy.
Main almost made an immediate impact after just four minutes.
Dean Campbell, who was sent off in last week’s league defeat to County, delivered a free-kick from the left and the striker’s near-post header flashed narrowly wide.
A positive start by McInnes’ men was soon rewarded — and what a lovely finish it was from Ferguson. The midfielder was played through by Kennedy and he struck an effort with the outside of his right foot into the top-left corner from 18 yards.
‘I just saw the space to run into and Matty Kennedy found me,’ said Ferguson. ‘I didn’t get put under pressure and thought I could get a shot away. I want to add more of that to my game.
Saints, unchanged from their midweek win at Motherwell in the league, barely had a grip on the ball. A Scottish Cup quarter-final on your own patch is not the occasion to be overcome with stage fright.
McInnes couldn’t keep still on the touchline. He was jumping and shouting at his players, who were comfortable as the half wore on.
Relief was the emotion for the Buddies just short of the half-hour mark as McGinn was halted from running through on goal by referee Don Robertson’s whistle. He was deemed to have fouled Cammy MacPherson.
The conditions started to take their toll. Saints had regrouped and looked a bit more certain about themselves, while the Dons couldn’t quite hit the rhythm of early on. Aberdeen right-back Shay Logan was the first to be booked for a crunching tackle on Calum Waters.
St Mirren almost sneaked an equaliser in the final minute of the half. A free-kick from the left fell to centre-back Conor McCarthy but the ball became stuck under his feet and he couldn’t convert from six yards.
The Buddies’ front pairing of Jon Obika and Alex Jakubiak had been ineffectual, with the latter replaced by Kyle McAllister at the break.
McInnes was forced into a change seven minutes into the second half, McKenna limping off to be replaced by Devlin.
The visiting fans were ecstatic a few minutes later when Main headed home at the back post from Kennedy’s cross — but he was denied his fourth goal of the season by an offside flag.
The pitch was badly churned up by this point. Silky, flowing football was hard to come by. But finally, midway through the half, St Mirren found an incentive to drive forward.
The space opened up for Jamie McGrath to surge into a promising position and he curled an effort from 20 yards, which was tipped wide by Joe Lewis.
McCarthy had to be alert on 65 minutes when Kennedy jinked his way past several black-and-white shirts into the box, but the Irishman made a crucial tackle just as the former St Johnstone winger was preparing to shoot.
Jim Goodwin introduced Tunisian-Austrian forward Seifedin Chabbi, on loan from Turkish club Gaziantep, for his debut on 72 minutes, while McInnes called for Cosgrove from the bench as the visitors sought a killer second.
The chance arrived in injury-time when Sam Foley fouled the striker, who converted before being booked for his celebrations.
The Red Army rejoiced. For all their struggles in the league, they have shown a handy knack of venturing to Hampden. Another semi-final awaits.