HURTING REDS LIFT GLASS TO VICTORY

Ramirez strike eases pressure on manager

AMID all the bumps, bruises and battle scars, Stephen Glass was finally able to savour a winning fight. His team — and, indeed, the Aberdeen manager — have been in the wars of late.

No game summed up that theme more than this one. The difference this time, however, was that the troops wearing red triumphed.

Goodness, did Glass need this victory. After chairman Dave Cormack’s passionate defence of the boss on radio on Monday, there was desperation for the Pittodrie men to deliver a response.

Christian Ramirez’s first-half strike was enough to claim three points and end a miserable ten-game winless run, which included five defeats in a row in the Premiership.

However, the joy of this victory was marred by injuries to indemand right-back Calvin Ramsay, in the aftermath of assisting Ramirez’s goal, and Declan Gallagher. There were other players who were writhing in pain, too.

Contrast the celebrations of the Dons with Hibernian. They were poor here — they couldn’t muster a shot on target — and ended the game with ten men after Darren McGregor picked up a second booking in stoppage time.

Jack Ross’ team have now lost three consecutive games and he insists it’s time for his players to stay united.

‘I think human nature dictates that when you lose games, your belief takes a dent slightly,’ he said. ‘Clearly when you win games, it rises.

‘You see it all the time when clubs go on streaks. We’ve got a group that for pretty much a year and a half now has done things pretty well. This is probably the stickiest period they’ve had during that.

‘It will be a test of character for them, for us. But it’s time to have that unity about them and also to remember why they’ve had a lot of positive results. We know that we’re in a difficult period but we can turn that around very quickly.’

Goalkeeper Joe Lewis was restored for the Dons in place of Gary Woods, while Jonny Hayes dropped to the bench after last week’s defeat at Dundee.

Jack MacKenzie was missing, with Aberdeen stating that he had suffered an ankle injury in training on Thursday and will see a specialist tomorrow. Ross McCrorie took his place at left-back and Marley Watkins also started.

Full-backs Paul McGinn and Lewis Stevenson, as well as McGregor, were back in the Hibs defence, while Jamie Gullan made a rare league start up front.

Aberdeen took the lead on 27 minutes and it was a terrific goal. Ramsay caused problems on the right and swung in a cross for Ramirez, who fired a first-time finish from 18 yards into the bottom corner. As one, the team celebrated with Glass.

It came at a cost, however, as Ramsay had injured himself as he assisted and, despite trying to continue, the 18-year-old was soon substituted for Hayes.

Hibs threatened to equalise nine minutes before the break when Stevenson’s ball from the left found Martin Boyle, who made room for himself 18 yards out but his effort was deflected narrowly wide.

Aberdeen’s injury problems continued five minutes before the break. Gallagher was unchallenged when he cleared the ball in Hibs’ box and he tumbled to the ground before he was eventually replaced by Matty Longstaff.

There was time for one last chance for the hosts to double their lead prior to half-time when Watkins’ strike from the edge of the box flashed inches wide of the far post.

Glass reshuffled things after that double blow, with captain Scott Brown moving to the centre of a makeshift back three.

Eventually, Hibs came within inches of an equaliser midway through the second half. Substitute Jamie Murphy sped past David Bates on the left and delivered a fizzing ball across the six-yard box but Kevin Nisbet couldn’t apply a finishing touch.

There were soon major concerns for Aberdeen over yet another injury when Lewis suffered a head knock as he dived to gather a ball in the box. After a delay, the keeper continued, albeit looking groggy.

A miserable day for Hibs ended with McGregor received a second yellow card for a high arm towards Bates’ face in Aberdeen’s box having earlier fouled Watkins.

‘The first one is a yellow card, I’ve no arguments about that,’ admitted Ross. ‘I haven’t seen the second.

‘I’ve asked the referee and he told me it was for “adopting an aggressive attitude”. I don’t know what that means, exactly. I haven’t spoken to Darren about it. I think he’s slightly frustrated about it and that maybe tells its own story.’