Staggies hand Dons a late spot of bother
Aberdeen manager
Jim Goodwin insists he shares the blame with his underachieving players for their failure to make the top six.
A controversial penalty from substitute Jo Hangbo condemned the Dons to a first bottom six finish since 2013.
It also means missing out on European football for the first time in nine years which is not what Dave Cormack had in mind when getting rid of Derek Mcinnes.
The Pittodrie chairman’s experiment with Stephen Glass has proved extremely costly in a season where they also lost to Raith Rovers and Motherwell in the cups.
They departed to a chorus of “you’re not fit to wear the shirts” from furious supporters and Goodwin won’t rush to disagree.
They have now won just once in the league since Boxing Day and failed to take this final chance of redemption.
Aberdeen had plenty of possession but Ross Laidlaw didn’t have a serious save to make, leaving them vulnerable to a late counter-assault.
That’s what happened as Hungbo’s cross hit Jonny Hayes’ arm leading to furious protest from the Dons players.
Hungbo duly buried the resultant spot kick – along with any hope of Aberdeen responding – while the Staggies celebrated their first top six finish since 2016.
The players, fans and management certainly enjoyed the occasion while Goodwin was left to accept his part in the Dons fate.
He said: “This probably just does sum up the way the season has gone.
“A club of this stature, with this squad available, shouldn’t be in this position and we all take responsibility for that.
“We’re not going to shy away from what’s happening and I’m going to take my fair share of the responsibility.
“I’ve been in seven weeks, I think I’ve had enough time to turn it around, and I haven’t. It’s as simple as that.
“We played some decent football and got in good areas and created some half decent opportunities.
“We just weren’t good enough at those key moments.”
He was even honest enough not to load the blame onto referee Greg Aitken, especially as the official let them off the hook earlier in the afternoon.
The otherwise quiet Regan Charles-cook had been sent tumbling by young Connor Barron but the play was waved on.
Jonny Hayes and Lewis Ferguson were booked for moaning about the penalty that was awarded.
But Goodwin didn’t complain: “Of course I’m disappointed with that call but I don’t want to start blaming the referee for the fact we’ve lost the game.
“It’s a difficult time to be a defender. I don’t see Jonny Hayes’ hands in an unnatural position.
“The fact is we shouldn’t be relying on the referee making these calls.”
That’s true as the home side hogged the ball at times but rarely looked like they knew what to do with it.
Laidlaw had a few routine saves to make but Joe Lewis at the other end was unemployed until that late penalty.
But credit to the organisation and tactics Malky Mackay drilled into his side when it’s easy to forget how much was at stake for them as well.
A team bottom of the league after ten games are now in with a chance of European football next season.
By contrast the dismal Dons can look forward to a first taste of the group stages of the League Cup.