Comeback kings are hailed by McInnes
DEREK McINNES hailed 10-man Aberdeen for firing the perfect riposte to those who say they lack the ‘bottle’ to mount a title challenge. The delighted Dons boss watched his players fight back from a goal down — and a man down — to beat Ross County in a five-goal Highland thriller. Skipper Mark Reynolds was sent off for a last-man foul on Alex Schalk
after just 26 minutes, before Ian McShane cracked home the resultant free-kick. But an Adam Rooney penalty and two goals from right-back Shay Logan turned the tables to move the Dons within three points of Celtic despite a late second from McShane. McInnes admitted that, given the loss of Reynolds and the early goal, it felt like his team had earned more than three points in the Global Energy Stadium. ‘People will no doubt question us again in the future — but I know I have a brilliant set of boys to work with,’ said McInnes. ‘I know what they’re capable of. We have gone nine games undefeated in the league now and we’ve had a lot of good wins in those games. ‘It’s the same three points when you win but today it just feels a bit more than that. ‘When you are down to 10 for so long you have to play well, with your hearts and your heads. ‘It’s always a hard way back and that’s why I think it feels like a bit more than a normal win.’ McInnes also reserved praise for 20-year-old midfielder Craig Storie after only his second start for the Pittodrie club. ‘Craig was excellent today,’ he said. ‘He’s had a lot of injuries so he’s never really had the chance but I’ve seen a change in him in his training lately. ‘And the fact he’s come through 90 minutes on a heavy pitch today shows how hard he’s worked on his fitness. ‘I’ve always thought Craig had the ability and the temperament to do well. He just needs to stay fit. And if he can do that, we have a very good player on our hands.’ Frustrated County boss Jim McIntyre admitted his side had been wasteful in front of goal. But he was also critical of referee Crawford Allan’s failure to award a first-half penalty at 0-0 for a foul by Ash Taylor on scorer McShane. ‘It was a penalty but the referee has explained his decision at half-time,’ said McIntyre, whose side remain fifth. ‘He gave the advantage because he thought it was a good advantage but Alex Schalk was left with a shot from a narrower angle than a penalty. It was the wrong decision. ‘It’s not as if he had a one-on-one. But even when we did have a oneon-one today we chose to pass the ball rather than shoot. ‘Our decision-making was generally poor in front of goal today. ‘I’m disappointed that we didn’t make more of the many chances we created. That was the difference in the game. Aberdeen were ruthless today and we weren’t.’