Derek McInnes frustrated after Aberdeen fail to kill off Kilmarnock

Posted Sunday, March 04, 2018 by PA

Derek McInnes was thankful to see Aberdeen remain in the hat for the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final draw but was frustrated that his Dons did not do enough to beat Kilmarnock.

The hosts at Pittodrie took the lead through captain Graeme Shinnie but Kris Boyd netted the leveller from the penalty spot, forcing a 1-1 draw that means the clubs must contest a replay at Rugby Park.

McInnes said: “It’s frustrating because we got ourselves in a winning position, and I thought we were the better team in the first half and had a couple of opportunities.

“Conditions with the wind swirling didn’t help, but I thought we still had enough in our good moments. Shinnie was prominent with his bursts forward from full-back, none more so than with the goal.

“It wasn’t pretty, but in cup football it’s all about getting the job done, and I felt we were in a good position at half-time to do just that.

“We spoke at half-time about the need for concentration, and about the changes Kilmarnock could make – and I think Lee Erwin helped them get up the pitch.”

McInnes was unhappy with the penalty given against his side, adding: “There’s no better example of the need for concentration than the goal we lose.

“We’re in a strong position to deal with it between Shay (Logan) and Arnie (Kari Arnason). But we allow (Jordan) Jones between them and I think he goes down without any contact.

“I thought it was a penalty at the time, but looking at it again, I don’t see how anybody’s made a foul. If Logan had made the foul, he should have been sent off.”

On the penalty claim, Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke said: “The referee is far closer than us so must have seen contact. I agree with Derek that if it’s a foul by Logan then it should be a second yellow.

“Sometimes you get them, some times you don’t. We’re not here to criticise referees, we’re all here to help them.

“It was a good performance. It was always going to be a difficult game, and the surface didn’t help either team. It made it hard to play good football – we tried.

“It was disappointing to go behind, but as always my players responded. They’ve got great character, great belief, and more than deserved a replay.

“We had chances to win. We kept plugging away and always looked like a threat.”