SOS FOR GMS
Dons boss Del tells Big Eck to call up his winger after this deadly display
Derek McInnes insists Gary Mackay-Steven would be right at home in the Scotland set-up after his sizzling display helped Aberdeen romp into the quarter finals.
The Reds winger netted a double, one from the penalty spot, to take his tally to four goals in the opening five games of the season in the rout of sorry St Mirren at Pittodrie.
GMS also set up skipper Graeme Shinnie for his goal with Stevie May getting in on the scoring act with the home side a joy to watch.
Former Celtic man Mackay-Steven’s one full international cap came in a Hampden friendly against USA five years ago but McInnes has no doubt he could handle life as part of Alex McLeish’s squad.
With a friendly against Belgium and the Nations League opener against Albania coming up next month, McInnes said: “Gary can certainly be at home in that environment as he is very confident at the minute. Why not? He is contributing a nd y ou want your wide players to score goals and provide assists. He had all that today.
“Gary has four goals already and he had 10 or 11 last year.
“He is a very good finisher and when he is doing his flicks and tricks, he is difficult to deal with.”
Mackay-Steven teased and tormented the Buddies as the deadly Dons ran riot but McInnes also had special praise for youngster Scott Wright who had a more central role.
McInnes said: “It was an exceptional performance. We imposed ourselves on the game from the start and dominated.
“The movement , speed and intelligence of everyone at the top end of the pitch was really pleasing. Scott was the pick of the bunch.
“He allowed others to be as good as they can be by causing them all sorts of
problems with his movement. He is a quick ball carrier and he is a good winger. But we played Peter Pawlett in the ‘10’ position and Scott can be something similar in that role.
“When it worked, he was difficult to deal with and it is hard when quick players don’t stand still.
“We could have scored more but I’ll take 4- 0 all day long in a cup tie.”
Aberdeen’s new on-loan Manchester United striker James Wilson missed out with an ankle knock and a calf injury to Niall McGinn during the warm-up saw youngster Frank Ross thrust into the starting line-up at the 11th hour.
The Dons f lew out the traps and Mackay- Steven burst down the right with May meeting his cross only for Craig Samson to save. GMS looked in the mood and after hitting the byeline, he picked out Lewis Ferguson whose downward header was clawed over.
The Buddies struggled to find their feet but almost broke the deadlock when Nicolai Brock-Madsen headed just over from Hayden Coulson’s free-kick.
But it was no surprise when the Dons grabbed the lead moments later and no surprise either at the man who netted the goal.
Fe rg uson wa s t he creator when he got past Paul McGinn and his cross found Mackay-Steven who volleyed the ball into the ground before a deflection helped it on its way past Samson.
Just four minutes later Samson was again beaten as Aberdeen doubled their lead. Again GMS was involved as he got past Coulson and delivered a great ball for Shinnie to head into the top corner.
It went from bad to worse for the Pai sl ey side a s the blundering Buddies defence handed the Reds a third goal on a plate.
Samson was short with a pass to Cole Kpekawa and Wright pounced to rob him of the ball before rounding the Saints keeper and squaring for May to lash into the empty net.
It was comedy defending but the t ravel l ing fa n s weren’t laughing. Although they might have had a goal to celebrate after their long journey when Brock-Madsen was put clean through but Joe Lewis raced off his line to block.
Mackay- Steven could have had another before the break when his low shot was saved. Aberdeen picked up where they left off at the start of the second half and May’s backheel sent Wright clear but Samson blocked as he tried to round him and May couldn’t convert the rebound.
Mackay-Steven’s day got better just before the hour when ref Steven McLean had no choice but to award a penalty when Coulson brought him down on the edge of the box. The winger picked himself up to slot home the fourth.