Super subs save day in the Granite City
Jack Ross knows time is of the essence as another draw dents chances of escaping the danger zone, observes Kyle Crawford
AS Alex Salmond and Mark Warburton can testify, the perceived lack of a ‘Plan B’ can give your detractors plenty of rope to try and hang you with. At Pittodrie yesterday, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes proved to his critics that such an accusation cannot be levelled at him.
As a hopelessly disjointed second half threatened to numb the mind in much the same way as the biting wind whipping up off the North Sea did the extremities, McInnes turned to his bench and threw on two attackers for two defenders in a Hail Mary move that paid off handsomely.
Jayden Stockley and Ryan Christie were the men to enter the fray, and it was they who struck the decisive blows to claim what had for long spells looked an unlikely three points against a spirited Partick Thistle outfit to move Aberdeen clear in second spot.
“With the substitutions I felt that something had to change as we huffed and puffed a bit,” said McInnes.
“I’m delighted for both Jayden Stockley and Ryan Christie to come on and score and it shows the importance of being ready to come on and do a job and they helped win the game for us.”
Aberdeen had started well, and the first test of either keeper came from Kenny McLean, as he fired at goal from the edge of the box only for Tomas Cerny to palm away.
Christie Elliott then blew a golden opportunity for the visitors after a clever dink from Adam Barton sent him through on Joe Lewis, but he scuffed his effort tamely at Lewis.
And the visitors should have hit the front just after the break, as a looping cross from Elliott found Ryan Edwards free in the area, but he nodded wide from a great position.
The locals were starting to get frustrated with the dire fare that was being served up to them. The pitch was heavy and there was a fiercely cold, swirling wind, but too often the Aberdeen players were happy just to punt the ball into the corners. In fairness to Thistle, they were right on top of their opponents anytime they did try to get the ball down.
It was of little surprise to see the cavalry appearing from the bench, as Shay Logan and Mark Reynolds made way. It was to prove a decisive move.
Hayes woke everybody up by stinging the palms of Cerny from the edge of the area, and from the corner, finally – mercifully – the deadlock was broken. McGinn swung in the dead ball and Stockley got free to bullet home a header from close range.
Thistle should have snatched an equaliser as their own substitutes Chris Erskine and Ade Azeez combined, but the striker hit the outside of the post when in on Lewis from the right of the area.
But it was Christie who would have the last word, the on-loan Celtic man finishing calmly after being picked out in the box by his fellow substitute Stockley for his first goal in red.
For Thistle, it was again a case of missed opportunities costing them dear.
“We are disappointed to lose because we caused Aberdeen a lot of problems,” said assistant manager Scott Paterson.
“When you get good chances in games you have to take them.”
It shows the importance of being ready to come on and do a job and they helped win the game
ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross admitted his side are running out of games to secure their Championship status after watching the Buddies twice give up a lead to draw 2-2 at Dumbarton.
Ayr United’s surprise draw at Hibs means St Mirren remain seven points adrift at the bottom of the Championship table and Ross conceded time is against his squad as they look to prevent a second relegation in three seasons for the Paisley club.
He said: “Frustration is the biggest thing I feel at the moment. On a lot of occasions, we’ve been in positions to gather more points, or to put in performances to gather more points and we’ve not managed to do it.
“We need to do it quickly. The results and performances have been OK, one thing that is not OK is running out of games. That is the simple reality of it.”
St Mirren gambled on a substantial squad rebuild last month in an attempt to turn their ailing season around. Ten players arrived and the same number departed as the revolving door at the Paisley 2021 Stadium threatened to come off the hinges. As many as six of the new arrivals started against the Sons, with defenders Adam Eckersley and Harry Davis making their Saints’ debuts.
David Clarkson put St Mirren in front from close range 10 minutes before half-time after he was set up with a terrific cross from onloan Aberdeen winger Cammy Smith. However slack marking at a corner allowed Christian Nade space and time to head the Sons level in the second half – it was the former Hearts striker’s third goal in as many games.
A large and vocal travelling support became tense as the second half wore on and the realisation of Saints’ league plight came to the fore. However, when debutant Davis headed in a Stephen McGinn free kick, it looked set to be a pivotal league win for the Buddies.
Poor defending cost the Paisley men again though, with 10 minutes to go when Robert Thomson collected a headed ball from Nade to smartly turn and finish, giving the Sons a point which was probably merited in a largely scrappy encounter.
Dumbarton move up to seventh place on goal difference after Raith Rovers’ 3-0 defeat at Dundee United. The part-timers continue to punch above their weight in a league of eight full-time clubs after being favoured by many to go down before a ball was kicked. Sons boss Stevie Aitken hailed his men for continuing to defy the odds and reserved special praised for goal hero Nade. He said: “That’s one of the reason we brought him [Nade] back. We know how to get the best out of him.”