McInnes praises players after narrow victory over Dundee

Posted Sunday, March 18, 2018 by PA

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes praised his side for battling to a 1-0 victory against Dundee in conditions that made playing football very difficult.

Graeme Shinnie netted the only goal after 35 minutes, but Dons on-loan Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman played his part with an excellent stop to deny AJ Leitch-Smith five minutes before Shinnie scored.

McInnes said: “I thought it was a real challenge today. We anticipated Dundee would go with a back five, and the conditions for both sides today – the wind was horrendous – on a dry horrible surface. It wasn’t conducive to playing good football.

“Once we got in front we were very confident and assured, but that said Woodman had to make a very good save in the first half. Whether Leitch-Smith was onside or offside, he’s made a good save and kept us a clean sheet.

“We took a chance in keeping (Ryan) Christie and (Niall) McGinn high up the pitch to give us somewhere to go really.

“It would be easy to say it’s a horrible game to watch, but anyone who’s played at any level, it’s not easy for the players out there, and there has to be an understanding that the surface and conditions don’t make it easy.”

Dundee manager Neil McCann was also left to reflect on Woodman’s first half save, but was critical of goalkeeper Elliot Parish’s role in Aberdeen’s goal.

However, he was certainly a happier man than after his side’s demolition at the hands of St Johnstone last Saturday.

He said: “You could see that the boys gave everything in terms of application and they put themselves out there. It just wasn’t the conditions to play any sort of football. Sometimes you have to play percentage football, and it became impossible to pass it around.

“It’s the story of our season really. We had a golden opportunity to take the lead. I just didn’t think it would sit for AJ at all.

“Aberdeen were calling for offside, but I thought the run was well timed. I can’t tell whether it was a good save or a poor finish, but we should be taking the lead.

“It’s another calamitous goal we give away. I’ve had a word with Elliot because I don’t think he should be coming for it. It’s coming into the part of our defence that is strongest because we have three big strong centre-backs.

“He’s cleaned everybody out but not taken much, if any, of the ball, and Shinnie’s done what you hope any midfielder will do – taken a gamble and he’s got a tap-in.”