Four-goal Aberdeen show delights boss Derek McInnes

Posted Sunday, January 21, 2018 by PA

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was impressed as his side reached the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup with a 4-1 win over St Mirren at Pittodrie.

The Dons were 3-1 up at the break thanks to an Adam Rooney penalty and a double from Ryan Christie, with Gavin Reilly having replied for the visitors.

Gary Mackay-Steven settled any nerves with his side’s fourth goal early in the second half as Aberdeen made sure against their Championship opponents.

McInnes said: “It was a potentially tricky tie for us, and that’s the reason the TV cameras were here as well.

“I can understand that, the way St Mirren have been going in their own division. They’re a side going the right way and we had to overcome that challenge.

“We were very clinical in the first half, although there were times we were sloppy and gave them too much encouragement for my liking.

“I thought we had some very good performances, good spells of the game and some fantastic goals.

“The second-half performance was experienced, and we never looked like letting it slip.

“Credit to St Mirren, they did well and their support were a credit to them. They look like a team who’ll go on and finish their own campaign well.”

St Mirren boss Jack Ross was pleased with his side’s contribution to the tie, saying: “It’s a disappointed changing room, just because they’re not used to losing this season. It was a good learning experience, both individually and as a team.

“There were a lot of pleasing aspects in the first half. It sounds strange as we were 3-1 down, but we played well for large periods. We were punished ruthlessly for individual errors, but the goal just after half-time from Gary Mackay-Steven, as good as it was, killed the game as a contest.

“From that point on it was just about making sure we hang in the game and don’t end up on the end of a really heavy scoreline.”