McInnes hails Dons’ golden boy
DEREK McINNES last night admitted Adam Rooney is “worth his weight in gold” to Aberdeen.
Rooney notched his 17th goal of the season to earn the Dons a hardfought victory over Ross County.
It was a win that stretched their lead over Rangers to nine points in the race for second place.
And the relieved Reds gaffer hailed his top scorer’s razor-sharp instinct in front of goal as the deciding factor.
“He’s worth his weight in gold, he really is,” said McInnes.
“It’s another goal in the six-yard box.
“When other strikers are knocking off, expecting the ball to be cleared, he’s gambling. “He deserves his reward for that. “The chance comes to nothing if Rooney doesn’t gamble.
“You watch any highlight, even when it isn’t a goal, he is always following in on the ’keeper, always hanging about, always anticipating a mistake. “He’s always ready to pounce. “Today, if Rooney just thinks Andrew Davies is clearing it, if he breaks his stride and doesn’t gamble, it goes into Scott Fox’s hands.
“But Adam is on the move, he’s hanging about, hoping something is going to happen – and he gets his reward.”
Rooney himself was delighted to accept it – even if it was far from the best strike of his career. “I specialise in them,” he joked. “Not many players can do that. I think it went in off both shins!
“To be honest, I missed a sitter in the first half, so I’ve told Jonny Hayes just to put it on my knee or my shin in future!
“But seriously, it was a great ball in by Kenny McLean, an in-swinger, they make it difficult for defenders.
“We get that from both sides, with Niall and Jonny, too.”
Like his manager, Rooney was delighted with how the weekend panned out for the Dons.
But the Irishman refuses to get carried away given the topsy-turvy nature of this season’s Premiership.
“It has been a great weekend for us with Rangers, Hearts and St Johnstone getting beaten,” he said. “But things can change quickly. “We just have to prepare properly for Tuesday night now and keep picking up points.”