DONS TOE THE PARTY LINE
Gothenburg celebrations are not curtailed as Roos’ penalty save denies Hibs victory
THEY arrived to celebrate a glorious past and departed breathing a sigh of relief about the present.
For Aberdeen supporters, seeing their team escape with a point after this one-sided 90 minutes had to be regarded as a positive conclusion to an emotional few days. The party to mark the 40th anniversary of European Cup Winners’ Cup magnificence could easily have fallen flatter.
While brows were mopped among those in red, Hibs were left wondering how on earth they did not win it. On the front foot throughout, Lee Johnson’s men struck the woodwork three times before Kevin Nisbet’s poor 79th-minute penalty was thwarted by the impressive Kelle Roos.
Aberdeen’s very limited response totalled two shots on target. Neither caused David Marshall much concern.
It was arguably the worst home performance since Barry Robson took command. Critically, though, they held out to maintain a five-point advantage over Hearts in third place.
With three games remaining, a return to European football moves ever closer. Securing that aim would be another fitting tribute to the club’s finest hour in 1983.
Many of the Gothenburg Greats were in attendance at Pittodrie for this game, having received the Freedom of the City the day before. Their presence was drawn upon.
While the whole sense of occasion possibly made Aberdeen over-eager and rushed in their play, Robson praised the spirit shown by his players to keep Hibs six points behind them.
‘It is pride when you have the Gothenburg Greats there,’ he said. ‘You feel them breathing on top of you.
‘They were a terrific team and the one thing they will see was real guts and determination to keep a clean sheet when we weren’t performing at our best.
‘The most pleasing factor for me is that when you don’t play well — and that’s right across the board — they dig, they fight and they come out with a point.
‘Can I sit here and get angry after what these boys have given me? No chance.
‘I’m happy we kept the points tally where it is against the other teams on a big emotional day.’
Aberdeen can take a massive stride to being confirmed in third place if they win at Tynecastle on Saturday. A £5million prize pot remains very much in their hands.
There will be concern about the readiness of key forward Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes, who hobbled out with a hamstring injury during the second half. Robson had yet to gain an update on his condition when meeting the media afterwards.
A few hours earlier, crowds had gathered outside the Main Stand to see the Gothenburg Greats unveil a plaque in their honour.
Those who arrived a little later offered their own applause when members of the class of ’83 filed onto the pitch just before kick-off. Willie Miller took every opportunity to raise the trophy one-handed, mirroring the famous image from that unforgettable night in Sweden. Pittodrie loved it.
With a celebratory atmosphere in place, everything seemed set up for a strong performance from the current Aberdeen line-up. Instead, some stage-fright was suffered.
Hibs were encouraged. In particular, Elie Youan’s pace and skill was a persistent menace. Having agreed a permanent move to Leith last week, the French winger saw a low strike saved by Roos and a header deflected over. Nisbet also had three sights of goal as the stadium grew restless.
The visitors had more possession, shots and corners during the opening period — but couldn’t make it count. Struggling to find Bojan Miovski or Duk in the right areas, the Dons only came close to nicking a goal when a Hayden Coulson snapshot zipped over.
Not a great deal altered after the interval. Five minutes into the second half, Youan cut in off the left for a drive that took a little nick before striking the post as Roos scrambled.
Josh Campbell then survived a VAR red card check following a thumping collision with Liam Scales — prior to Youan threatening again.
Set up by excellent work from Joe Newell, a prime opportunity was thwarted by an excellent challenge from Angus MacDonald. The centre-back was hurt in the process but soldiered on.
Duk, though, was unable to do so after tweaking his hamstring on a forward surge and was replaced by Shayden Morris.
Regardless, the flow remained towards Roos. He blocked another Youan effort before the pivotal chunk of action arrived.
Newell’s corner found Youan for a glancing header off the bar. Substitute Harry McKirdy homed in on the follow-up with a volley against the post.
Then VAR intervened. Referee Nick Walsh was summoned to the pitchside monitor and saw McKirdy’s shot had struck Coulson’s hand prior to the woodwork. Penalty.
Nisbet went too low down the middle, however, and Roos blocked with his legs.
‘I said to him: “Listen, I wish I’d had the bravery as a player to take those penalties”,’ said manager Johnson, excusing his striker of blame.
‘It takes a brave man to take that penalty. He’s got a lot of belief in himself and he’ll make sure he scores the next one.’
Delighted by his side’s overall performance if not the outcome, Johnson also believes Hibs can claim European football.
‘I still believe we can do it,’ he added. ‘We’re building nicely and I think our fans have got to look positively towards next season, how powerful we can be in this division.’
ABERDEEN (3-5-2): Roos; Pollock, MacDonald, Scales; Coulson (Richardson 82), Ramadani, Duncan (Markanday 58), Clarkson, Hayes; Miovski (Watkins 82), Lopes (Morris 72). Subs not used: Lewis, MacKenzie, Barron, Kennedy, Bavidge. Booked: Scales, Coulson. HIBERNIAN (4-2-3-1): Marshall; Egan-Riley, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson; Jeggo, Newell; Cadden (McKirdy 74), Campbell (Henderson 60), Youan; Nisbet. Subs not used: Johnson, Miller, Cabraja, Hoppe, Devlin, Bushiri, Delferriere.
Booked: Newell, Campbell, Egan-Riley, Jeggo, McKirdy.
Referee: Nick Walsh. Attendance: 18,620