FERGIE DONS ALL PRAISE
ALL THE CHAMPS LEAGUE DRAMA
FROM BACK PAGE minute winner from Dons midfield ace Ferguson to sicken Livingston.
It came on the back of his Betfred Cup semi-final heroics against Rangers and his stunner in Europe against Burnley.
The victory was enough to see Aberdeen jump into the top six as they came from behind to break back into the top half of the Premiership table.
McInnes said: “Just when you think it might not happen, Fergie comes up with another brilliant goal.
“He has developed a habit of it and it was well deserved.
“Big players produce big moments and I would like to see a more regular return of goals from him.
“It was great to see the players get their just rewards for their efforts.
“We played well for 90-odd minutes but I was disappointed with the goals we lost.
“It was a mistake for the first one but 2-1 at half-time was really harsh on us.”
The Aberdeen manager was overjoyed to see his side show more of a cutting edge with Niall McGinn, Sam Cosgrove and Ferguson all getting in on the act, while young sub Connor McLennan also got special praise.
McInnes said: “We ran them from side to side, passed the ball well and played the game in their half for 45 minutes.
“We got our rewards in the end and Connor was a big part of that, he did very well when he came on.
“We have introduced more youngsters this season, it is something that has been aimed at me that I don’t play them enough.
“But we are learning about the younger ones more, they are getting the minutes and it’s good for their development.
“There are enough encouraging signs that some of them can come with us and keep making that breakthrough.”
Livingston manager Gary Holt admitted his side had been ‘kicked in the teeth’ and they need to learn lessons.
He said: “It’s a sore one to take, it’s the proverbial kick in the teeth.
“I won’t say we dominated or dictated, we had to stand up to Aberdeen in the second half because they had a real go at us.
“They had some good chances and put us on to the back foot but we defended well at times.
“They are a good side, we rode our luck but to lose a goal so late is a real sickener.
“We let them get too many balls into our box so we will have to learn from it. But I am not too downhearted, the desire and commitment was there. This won’t define us, we know how good Aberdeen are. It’s disappointing but we will take it on the chin.” SEE PAGES 54 AND 55 EDINBURGH CITY clung on to top spot in League Two despite finishing with ten men.
Blair Henderson’s strike midway through the second half cancelled out Jason Brown’s 59th minute opener for the Blue Toon.
Not even Andy Black’s red card for his second yellow 11 minutes from time could take the shine off the night for City as they held off their nearest rivals.
City gaffer James McDonaugh said: “It’s a better point for us than Peterhead, especially when we were down to ten men.
“Both teams have a lot of respect for each other. The players who finished the game deserve the credit, they really worked hard tonight and put their bodies on the line for us when it mattered.”
Peterhead had already seen a Rory McAllister effort ruled out for offside two minutes after the break before Brown forced the ball past Calum Antell to put them in front.
Jim McInally’ men were in control at that stage but they were stunned midway through the second half when Henderson sent a low shot past Greg Fleming followed a superb run and cross from Allan Smith.
Peterhead boss Jim McInally said: “I thought we were the better side.
“They had one shot at goal but unfortunately they scored from it.
“When we went ahead, I thought we could have gone on and scored more but the one thing about Edinburgh City is that they never give in. They’re utterly relentless.
“A win for us tonight would have been a great psychological boost but we’re still in a good place.”