Ryan returns to help Dons chase third spot
LIVINGSTON 1 Emmanuel-Thomas (80) ABERDEEN 2 Hendry (52), Hedges (74)
Having watched his side unceremoniously dumped out of the Scottish Cup last weekend, Stephen Glass heaped praise on Aberdeen for ensuring there remains life left in their Premiership campaign.
Second-half goals from Callum Hendry and the returning Ryan Hedges eased the Dons to victory against Livingston and to within just three points of Hibernian in third place, despite a stunning strike from Jay EmmanuelThomas 10 minutes from time.
With Jack Ross’s side next up for Aberdeen, the Pittodrie outfit still have a fighting chance of finishing the season on a high by overhauling the Easter Road men and Glass is optimistic they can take the battle into the last weekend.
He said: “We’ve kept it alive. We knew the score from Easter Road at half-time, so it gave us a carrot to dangle in front of the players – can we set up a massive game next Wednesday?
“We know what we need to do, we know what we want to set up for the final day of the season.
“I’m just delighted for the players, they got the reward for their work-rate today, and a bounce back from what happened last weekend.”
After the euphoria of marking his first match in charge with a dramatic penalty-kicks victory over Livingston in the cup, Glass has been given an indication of the job he faces for next season with performances and results since that debut.
What looked to be a moraleboosting victory over Celtic was snatched away by Leigh Griffiths’ injury-time equaliser before last weekend’s surprise exit from the cup after a comprehensive 3-0 defeat from Dundee United.
Glass added: “The group knew what the performance was last week. We knew the opportunity missed.
“But all we could do was focus on this game and we did that.”
Aberdeen opened proceedings like a team with their minds already wandering towards next term, but finished with business very much still on the agenda.
Both goalkeepers were busy before Livi passed up a gilt-edged opportunity for the breakthrough six minutes from the break. Connor McLennan, booked moments earlier for a kick out at Craig Sibbald, was short with a passback but Matej Poplatnik screwed his shot wide of the far post.
It was to prove a key miss as Aberdeen were the side to find the opener just six minutes after the interval.
Nobody in the home ranks stopped McGinn’s cross at source or picked up McLennan’s run.
Stryjek worked wonders to touch the full-back’s header on to the crossbar but Hendry’s striking instincts led him to meet the ricochet first to bundle in from close range.
The Dons doubled their advantage in the 74th minute with a crucial goal that was a personal triumph for Hedges.
The Wales internationalist has been missing – and missed – for three months following an injury but clinically swept in Flo Kamberi’s centre as if he had never been away.
Livingston threatened a comeback when they pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time.
Substitute Jaze Kabia drilled in a superb diagonal cross into the box from the left and Emmanuel-Thomas spiralled a magnificent volley into the opposite corner of the net.
With a minute left, Livi howled for a penalty when they claimed the ball struck the arm of Jack McKenzie in the box but referee Grant Irvine waved away the appeals.