McInnes sees red mist after ‘back-pass’ controversy
DEREK McINNES blasted referee Alan Muir’s decision to gift St Johnstone an indirect free-kick — for an apparent back pass ten minutes from time — which enabled the Perth side to take the lead at Pittodrie.
Ryan Jack was pressured by Saints sub Craig Thomson into returning the ball to goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
From the resulting freekick, Danny Swanson was teed up by Liam Craig and he calmly slotted the ball into the opposite corner.
Thomson would go on to score the clinching goal to give the visitors three points — which moved them six ahead of Hearts in the race for fourth and final Europa League qualifying spot. Saints are also just six points behind Rangers, with four games remaining.
‘It was tough,’ said McInnes, who refused to comment on captain Ryan Jack being linked with a move to MLS side Columbus Crew. ‘I don’t think it is a blatant back pass. It is not a pass, he is nudged in the back and touches the ball but I can’t say it was a back pass.
‘When you play St Johnstone, the first goal is important and when we got the ball wide in the first half we looked threatening but didn’t test the goalkeeper.
‘We moved to a more familiar shape in the second half but didn’t take our chances. We didn’t look convincing enough to win but I never felt we were going to lose the game.
‘It was a dour game. We are the second best team in Scotland but we have the worst pitch. Players were slipping and the ball was bouncing about everywhere.
‘It didn’t help either side. It was a nothing game with no real flow to either team.’
St Johnstone were tactically spot-on and mitigated any threat Aberdeen mustered. They worked hard for each other and manager Tommy Wright believes they were deserving of the victory.
‘It’s a great three points because we told the players people thought we wouldn’t come here and get a result,’ said Wright.
‘We put in a sterling performance in what wasn’t a pretty game to watch. We defended well and nullified one of the best teams in the country. We provided the two moments of quality in the game and they have got us the three points.’