Dons seize the day after Hibs see red
‘LEAST Worst Of The Others’ will soon be replacing ‘Best Of The Rest’ as the dubious title awarded to the team which finishes directly behind Celtic and Rangers this season.
Because the inconsistencies of the current contenders suggest that none of them are overly keen on establishing themselves as the third-best side in the Premiership.
Hibernian were confident and impressive as they mounted a late-season challenge for that honour, holding a 1-0 lead over Aberdeen early in the second half at Pittodrie.
Then the game spun on Steven Whittaker’s 55thminute dismissal as the Dons scored twice in the space of two minutes and finished the day by making pleasing ground on third-placed Motherwell.
All this after Aberdeen had stared at the embarrassment of a fifth consecutive home league defeat.
Christian Doidge’s 39th-minute strike looked like helping Hibs achieve what Motherwell, St Johnstone, Celtic and Ross County had all managed in 2020.
But despite the Dons’ horror home run, Motherwell have not fancied locking down third place either.
Thanks to a dismal recent run of six matches without victory before a midweek win over Ross County, the Lanarkshire club have been unable to shake off the Dons.
With Motherwell drawing 1-1 against Hearts at Tynecastle yesterday, Aberdeen now head to Fir Park on Friday night, trailing the Steelmen by a single point.
Dons manager Derek McInnes was understandably delighted to see his men make maximum gains from their 35 minutes with a personnel advantage over Hibs.
This could be the win that their second half of the season has been crying out for.
Twenty minutes in, though, and a comedy collision between Aberdeen defenders Ash Taylor and Shay Logan presented Hibs striker Jamie Gullan — handed a first start in place of the suspended Marc McNulty — with a one-on-one with Joe Lewis.
However, the Dons goalkeeper read Gullan’s attempt to steer low to his left and spread himself to block.
That was after Lewis’ terrific save had kept out Doidge’s early header, despite the Welsh striker protesting that the ball had crossed the line.
Six minutes before the interval, Hibs’ superior threat and Doidge’s perseverance were rewarded.
A trademark disguised through ball by Scott Allan did the damage. As the Dons defence expected an offside flag, Doidge strode clear of Taylor, eased wide of Lewis and tucked home a left-foot finish.
Aberdeen were then furious at John Beaton for denying them a quick route back to parity. Although, to be fair to the referee, he could have done with some guidance from his standside linesman.
How Andrew McWilliam missed Greg Docherty wrestling Lewis Ferguson to the ground is a mystery.
Hibs’ defence then snuffed out a couple of Ferguson half-chances.
Visiting goalkeeper Ofir Marciano was only thrust into action to stop a Niall McGinn corner whipping wind-aided into his net and to block on the line as Curtis Main prodded Connor McLennan’s low delivery just inside the near post.
But Whittaker’s second untidy, bookable lunge in on Ferguson drew a red card and that handed Hibs boss Jack Ross the poser of guiding 10 men to see this one out.
Gullan was sacrificed for Melker Hallberg to shore up the middle of the park. However, Bruce Anderson was also sent on to give the Dons a different threat as McInnes went for the jugular.
Anderson pestered the Hibs centre-halves constantly and battled to win a corner as Aberdeen kept the 10 men penned in.
McGinn’s cross was met by an errant swing of Adam Jackson’s boot, the Hibs centre-half slicing the ball into his own net.
Aberdeen sensed fear and pounced again. McGinn’s corner caused trouble in a packed six-yard box and Andy Considine booted in at the back post.
Hibs were unrecognisable from the composed team of the opening period by the time Main swept home Aberdeen’s third.
Ferguson’s flick released McGinn, who teed up Anderson. When the young striker’s shot was blocked, Main swept home from 16 yards.
One question Hibs have to answer is why they are hellbent on taking a couple of steps back every time there has been some progress.
The home humbling by Hearts in midweek followed by this setback leaves them looking over their shoulder to check if Kilmarnock and St Johnstone might muster wins needed to challenge the top six.
Hibs will know first hand next Saturday when they host Tommy Wright’s surging Saints with only a point to spare.