We deserved belt on nose for tepid display says McInnes

Derek McInnes reckons his lacklustre Dons beat THEMSELVES and got a belt on the nose ahead of their trip to Hampden.

The Dons deserved nothing from an off-thepace performance that let Rangers move above them into second place on goal difference.

Gaffer Del says it’s a timely warning for them to pull up their socks ahead of next Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Motherwell.

McInnes said: “I’m disappointed. We were lacklustre and played too safe.

“Hearts didn’t need to do a lot to get their goals. They allowed us to have a lot of the ball.

“And it was up to us to play in a different gear and be more dynamic.

“We were guilty of poor decision making, we were laboured and tepid.

“We were not dynamic or positive enough with our passing. We were much too safe.

“And we played into their hands with too many little passes.

“Both goals were avoidable. At both we were guilty of not dealing with a situation.

“Hearts didn’t need to do a lot for their win but they were the better team hands down.

“We beat ourselves by playing in the wrong areas and not being sharp enough with our work.

“We hit the woodwork twice but I am not kidded by that. Hearts deserved their win.

“We came here 19 points clear of Hearts and with so much to play for.

“I don’t think we showed that difference. We didn’t show the game was really important to us.

“And up until recently we have been very good at that. We have scored goals when we needed to.

“We beat a resistant Dundee team, beat St Johnstone and were very good at Motherwell during the week.

“We came here looking for more of the same but ultimately we have got a belt on the nose and lost the game.”