Del blames defeat on Old Firm exertions
Derek Mcinnes reckons Aberdeen paid the price for their Old Firm efforts as they crashed to St Johnstone.
The Dons fell flat on their return to Pittodrie after two games in three days against Celtic and Rangers.
For Mcinnes, it was the result of tiredness from a group of players who have been pushed to their limit this week.
“It went wrong when we lost a simplistic goal from a set-piece,” said the Dons boss. “Until then, we were the better team, with a good element of control of the game.
“We got into a lot of good areas and had a lot of things flashing about the box.
“We spoke at half-time about trying to show more desire to get on the end of that last pass.
“But we lacked a wee bit of inspiration and creativity today.
“I think we missed Gary MackaySteven, Niall Mcginn was rested after the exertions of the last two games – there’s been a lot asked of him. “The ones who came in to give us a bit of freshness today maybe didn’t do enough to have the impact that we were hoping for.
“I just think we looked like a tired team.
“But certainly the ones who have had to play with 10 men at Ibrox for long spells, who have had to play in the Cup Final, with everything that takes out of you when you’re playing against the better sides, I can’t be too critical of them.”
Saints boss Tommy Wright, meanwhile, reckons his high-flying side’s goal is simple – keep doing the same things.
“We’ve got Motherwell next and we’ll regroup and go again,” said the Premiership’s Manager of the Month for November.
“If we do, we will be difficult to beat and we can be a handful for teams at the other end of the pitch.
“The ones above us in the top four keep winning and we would probably have been higher in previous seasons, but it is nice to be on the coat tails.
“Twenty points from the last 24 is an incredible return, so the players have been magnificent.”