A SPOT OF RELIEF FOR ROPEY REDS
Dundee fail to capitalise in bid to beat the drop
IT’S not every season that Dundee will have the chance to take something from one of the poorest Aberdeen teams in recent years. The fact they failed to pounce at Pittodrie summed up the fate that is heading their way.
There were signs yesterday — moments of brief positivity — which offered hope to the travelling supporters that Mark McGhee’s side could yet spark life into their Premiership survival mission.
But the opportunities passed them by and it’s now 11 games without a win since the 64-year-old took charge. The fact they failed to capitalise on St Johnstone’s home defeat to St Mirren merely rubbed salt into their gaping wounds.
The gap between the bottom-of-the-table Dark Blues and the 11th-placed McDiarmid Park side remains five points with three games to go. All the Dens Park men can fight towards now is securing a relegation play-off spot at best.
Lewis Ferguson’s penalty was enough for Aberdeen to seal a scrappy victory — only their second league triumph in 15 matches in 2022. The Dons are now all but safe. This dire season can’t end soon enough.
‘It was relief at the end and I think that’s how we all feel,’ said Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin.
‘The players aren’t high-fiving in there, we are in a poor place in the league for this club.
‘It was about getting the victory and that’s what we have done. We have a lot to improve on.
‘To win any game is an enjoyable moment. There was pressure and anxiety and that was understandable from both teams.’
Striker Christian Ramirez was back in the Aberdeen team along with Calvin Ramsay after last week’s home loss to Livingston, while Funso Ojo dropped to the bench and Ross McCrorie was unavailable after being sent off against the Lions.
For Dundee, there was just a fourth start for 21-year-old goalkeeper Harrison Sharp, replacing the ill Ian Lawlor, while Niall McGinn came in for Shaun Byrne.
Noticeably, Goodwin strode onto the pitch as the teams finished their warm-up and applauded Aberdeen’s supporters before the game. Anything to get them onside.
The Dons’ start here was almost breathtaking. Straight from kick-off, Ferguson fired at goal from the centre circle and the ball landed on the roof of the net — much to the relief of Sharp.
But after that jolt inside three seconds, Dundee’s response almost led to the opener on 13 minutes when Danny Mullen’s shot was deflected and fell kindly for Paul McGowan, whose prodded effort from close range was gathered by Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis.
The home fans became edgy when the visitors threatened again minutes later. Mullen’s curling effort from 25 yards looked bound for the top-right corner but Lewis tipped the ball over.
The Dons captain was busier than he would have liked — and he soon had to be alert once more when Paul McMullan met a cross but his effort was straight at Lewis.
Apart from a late challenge by Vicente Besuijen on Dundee captain Charlie Adam — which earned the Aberdeen winger a booking — there was little fight from the Dons as the home fans grew increasingly restless.
Connor Barron had come close with a couple of strikes — one pushed wide by Sharp — as the men in red left the pitch at half-time to a smattering of boos.
Within two minutes of the restart, Ramirez’s pass sent left-back Jack MacKenzie through and he tumbled under a challenge from Cammy Kerr in the box. The hosts screamed for a penalty but referee Willie Collum was unmoved.
Aberdeen proved dangerous on the left again minutes later when Ramirez provided another through ball, this time for Besuijen. The Dutchman raced into the box but his effort from a tight angle flew inches wide of the far post.
Only a headed goalline clearance from Ramsay then prevented Dundee taking the lead when Ryan Sweeney met a corner.
Adam did not look best pleased when he was subbed for Josh Mulligan with less than 10 minutes played in the second half.
Dundee were struggling to escape their own half. On the hour mark, Sharp pulled off a brilliant save low to his left to deny Ramirez, who had been set up by Jonny Hayes.
Finally, a goal arrived on 73 minutes to lift the home supporters. Hayes burst into the box on the right and was clipped by Jordan Marshall. Ferguson stepped up and fired the ball down the middle to score his 16th goal of the campaign.
‘We are staying up,’ chanted the Dons fans. It’s been that sort of season.