That was a piece of cake
Kilmarnock keeper Laurentiu Branescu and Joe Lewis of Aberdeen compare notes after both had kept a clean sheet at Rugby Park yesterday.
Derek Mcinnes warned his Aberdeen players that a “safety first” approach is not good enough.
The Dons boss was unhappy with his men as they continued a stuttering start to the season by drawing at Kilmarnock. They had won on their previous 11 visits to Rugby Park. Mcinnes said: “A draw feels like a defeat at Aberdeen and so it should. It feels underwhelming. “I thought we were safe, we were OK but OK doesn’t get the job done.
“We needed more from our forward areas, quicker passes, more intent, more quality and more willing.
“Some of my players, whether they’ve been here for a while or have just arrived, should know we’ve always prided ourselves on having a kind of Old Firm mentality, home and away.
“We had the best away record in the league last year and we see the importance of every game
“For us to turn that one point into three, we have to ask more questions of the opposition.
“We’ll keep working, trying to improve and hopefully we can be a bit more of all these things in our next game against Ross County.” Aberdeen were forced into defensive reshuffle before the half- an- hour mark when Scott Mckenna went off injured and was replaced by Zak Vyner.
Killie also lost a central defender when Kirk Broadfoot had to leave the field 15 minutes after being hit on the head by a thundering shot from Gallagher.
He struggled to shake off the impact and made way for Alex Bruce.
There was a lot of huff and puff in the first 45 minutes without either side seriously testing the goalkeepers. Aberdeen dominated possession before the break, but came under increasing pressure as Killie played higher up the pitch in the second half. They almost got a quick payoff when Vyner slashed at a clearance, allowing Hamalainen a run on goal.
The on- loan QPR left- back, deputising for Greg Taylor, was high and wide with his shot. Most of the noise from the stands was aimed at referee Alan Muir.
He infuriated the home fans for booking El Makrini and then keeping his cards tucked away until cautioning Ferguson for a foul on Power.
That incident sparked a melee amongst the players and saw Chris Burke have his name taken. Burke, who continues to be the man covering most ground in a game, despite being 35, then raced behind the Dons’ defence, but sent his shot past keeper and post.
Derek Mcinnes’ side really struggled to find any creativity. Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio was a slightly happier man after picking up his first Premiership point.
“We have to work more,” he said. “If we don’t score the goal, then it’s impossible to win.” Chris Burke, the man who spurned the best chance of the game, believes Killie are beginning to improve.
He said: “We’ve probably not been firing on all cylinders in the final third.
“It’s only a matter of time, but the sooner the better.”