Leagues apart – and it shows
WAS anything other than a sweeping victory for Aberdeen likely in this William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round tie, especially when Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes were running riot?
After all, the Dons sit third in the Ladbrokes Premiership table while Stranraer are second-bottom in League One.
Two goals each for Adam Rooney and McGinn tell the story of a one-sided game in which the fitness and energy levels of the hosts proved overwhelming for the visitors.
Predictably, Hayes entertained on whichever flank he chose to occupy before making way for Scott Wright with 15 minutes remaining. The Pittodrie crowd rose to their feet to applaud him, perhaps in recognition that he will soon be on his way to the English Championship should the Cardiff City increase their £500,000 offer for his services.
Had it not been for Cameron Belford’s exceptional display in the visitors’ goal, the final scoreline might have been an embarrassment for Stranraer. As it was, the tempo of Aberdeen’s attacks proved wearisome for them, the only surprise being that Rooney’s opener took half-an-hour to arrive. The striker reacted quickly to Hayes’ downwards header eight yards out, and we wondered if the visitors might collapse.
There were further signs that this might be the case, particularly when McGinn, at his creative best, accepted Kenny McLean’s measured pass to the left flank five minutes later and finished with a strike that was as clinical as it was impressive. The Northern Ireland international, out of contract at the end of the season, may see his future elsewhere, but Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes that if McGinn decides to remain in Scottish football, Pittodrie is where he will stay.
“Losing him is not an immediate concern,” McInnes said. “We have him until the end of the season and we’re hopeful that we can keep him beyond that.
“Niall’s very happy here. He’s never indicated that he wants to leave. He’s always said that he’s just not in a rush to commit. If he decides to stay in Scotland, I think we’ll win that fight.”
Belford continued to give value for money. He had shown his worth with a wonderful one-handed, diving save from a McGinn header and displayed similar agility following McGinn’s goal by stopping Hayes and Ash Taylor from increasing the Dons lead.
But Stranraer lost a third goal five minutes after the restart through Rooney’s penalty after Morgyn Neill handled Andrew Considine’s cross.
Four minutes later, McGinn’s thunderbolt from the edge of the area was the coup de grace and the Stair Park outfit were left to concentrate on the more important issue for them, avoiding relegation. It’s a thought that will occupy the mind of Stevie Farrell, who takes on the role of manager tomorrow.