NEVER SAY DIE
McInnes makes his point and salutes Dons’ stirring comeback
ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes still won’t admit his team are title contenders — but he did concede that the point gained in dramatic circumstances against Dundee yesterday could prove crucial at the end of the season.
The Dons required a stoppage-time equaliser from Ryan Jack to secure a 3-3 draw at Pittodrie, a result that keeps them two points clear of champions Celtic, who claimed a straightforward 2-0 victory over Hamilton earlier in the day.
Jack’s goal was a stunning conclusion to a thoroughly entertaining game but, having taken an early lead through David Goodwillie, McInnes (right) admitted he was disappointed to see his team fall 3-1 behind after a defensive collapse either side of half-time. Yet the game had a barnstorming finish which saw Jonny Hayes convert a penalty before Premiership Player of the Month Jack popped up to bundle home the equaliser. ‘I couldn’t be more proud of my players for the way they keep going,’ said McInnes. ‘They showed perseverance and real determination. They could easily have chucked it at 3-1 and wrote off the day but that could be a really important point for us.
‘We are just trying to progress. We are delighted to be where we are, of course, but while we felt we could have won today, you’re not always going to get it your own way.
‘I think you have to credit Dundee — certainly for the quality of the first two goals — even if we think we could have defended better.’
McInnes was helped by the contribution of his substitutes yesterday. The experienced Willo Flood and youngster Cammy Smith came on after 63 minutes and perked up the midfield.
But the greatest impact was made by teenage striker Lawrence Shankland, who won the penalty and claimed an assist for Jack’s crucial goal. ‘I thought the subs had an impact. I have
spoken about the consistency of selection, but it’s important the subs are ready.
‘I thought all three came on and gave us energy. They brought a spark and they looked as if they wanted to change the flow of the game and get us back in it. Thankfully, that proved to be the case.
‘You saw all sides of us today. We started brilliantly. We could have been more than one up. We were very dominant and comfortable.
‘If we got the second goal a bit earlier, we would have gone on to win. The crowd really got into it and it showed what can be done here with the noise and the support behind us.
‘Another five minutes and we would win the game. We were really in the ascendancy at the end but ran out of time.’
McInnes’ Dundee counterpart, Paul Hartley, was equally pleased with his own players’ efforts, although probably the more disappointed of the two managers.
Gary Irvine’s goal — the first to be conceded by Dons keeper Scott Brown in eight league matches — was an impressive strike but bettered by team-mate Greg Stewart’s goal just two minutes later.
Gary Harkins then put the visitors on track for a memorable win with a deflected volley and Hartley admitted he became convinced his team were sure of three points.
‘When you’re 3-1 up with 10 minutes to go, you think the match is won,’ he stated.
‘But it lasts for 90 minutes and I’m so disappointed for the players as they put so much into the game.
‘We limited Aberdeen to very little and the goals we scored were terrific.
‘It was a really good match and we had a game-plan.
‘We have done well against Aberdeen and that was probably the best away performance from a team at Pittodrie this season.
‘We quietened the crowd, which was a big thing today and a tribute to the way we played.
‘We travelled here with only 18 players, so I’m really pleased to get a result against the league leaders, who had won their last eight games.’