Kilmarnock 0-2 Aberdeen
SPL
20/12/20
Aberdeen took all three points at Rugby park, beating Kilmarnock 2-0.
With Hibs dropping points yesterday at home to United and Celtic playing in the Scottish Cup final, Sunday offered a great opportunity for Aberdeen to claw back ground in the table.
Second half goals from Ryan Hedges and Sam Cosgrove propelled Aberdeen to third, level on points with Celtic.
“I thought my three centre backs in the second half were outstanding, especially big Ash.”
Derek McInnes said after the match he was pleased to be up there in the table in a win where he reserved special praise for his defense.
McInnes said: “I thought my three centre backs in the second half were outstanding, especially big Ash. He stood up to everything they threw at him and the physical threat of Kabamba. It gave us a good platform to see out the game.”
There are defensive issues for Aberdeen at the moment with two defenders already out and Tommie Hoban going off with a hamstring injury today.
McInnes said of Hoban’s injury: “Tommie felt it at half time. It is the last thing that we need with the defensive injuries that we have. We have six defenders at the club and three of them are injured. (Michael Devlin, Greg Leigh and now Tommie). It does put a real strain on us but Ross McCrorie can go back in and play there.”
Both Don’s goals came in the second half with Ryan Hedges scoring a deflected shot to put McInnes’ team one-up.
Sam Cosgrove scored a low free-kick, powering his shot under the wall and past Danny Rogers on 95’ after Brandon Haunstrup, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, was red carded taking Cosgrove down as last man.
Killie boss Alex Dyer looked deflated after the match saying while his side fought hard in the first half they couldn’t keep up in the second.
“Second half we were no way near it, but give them credit, they know what they’re doing and they’re a hard side to break down.”
On the red card, Dyer said it was pointless and Haunstrap should have left Cosgrove and seen if the keeper would have saved the striker’s attempt.
“It’s right the end, it’s the wrong decision to make and there’s no need to do it. It’s another player we miss and it’s pointless really.”
Dons’ final three games of the year
Aberdeen play three games in a week in a hectic if subdued festive period.
The Dons go to Fir Park the day before Christmas Eve to hopefully avenge the 3-0 thumping they received at the hands of Motherwell at Pittodrie earlier in the season.
They then welcome St Johnstone in the Boxing Day fixture, in which chairman Dave Cormack hoped 2000 fans would attend but after the FM’s Saturday briefing that is now clearly off.
Then the Don’s travel to a Livingston side with their tails up having put together a relatively strong season.
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Ross County sack manager Stuart Kettlewell
Former player Stuart Kettlewell was sacked by Ross County almost immediately after the 2-0 loss at home to Hamilton on Saturday.
Kettlewell, who played over one hundred times for the Staggies, had overseen a disastrous run in league form having not won in ten.
The Staggies last win in the league came in September versus St Johnstone.
Since then County have plummeted to the bottom of the table, four points from safety.
It was not all doom and gloom at County with an impressive victory knocking out Celtic in the League Cup three weeks ago.
Fan reaction to Kettlewell sacking on social media
Shame, should have got time I’d say, he deserved up to Jan at least.
He wanted to sack Gardyne and the club shamefully backed the player instead. This was always coming. Shame on you Ross County. Shame on you.
Never like to see a manager lose their job. I like Stuart too. Hopefully he’ll walk into another job quickly.
Roy MacGregor going a long way to undo all that he has done for Ross County over the years. Ruthless, utterly ruthless, his actions over the last 2 seasons will have lost a lot of support he has previously had from Ross-Shire community.
Sad to see but I’m sure he won’t struggle for work. I thought his after match interview with the BBC showed his class as well. He knows it’s the right move for the club and that’s the bigger picture.
Are you gonna clear his desk and office out for him? How do you support him over the coming weeks? You just sacked the guy
Poor show from you @RossCounty. Stuart is a top man and this is a poor decision. Loyalty is clearly not worth much these days! All the best Stuart.
Given Accies were awarded a 3-0 win because of covid, this seems overly harsh. There would only be a point in it
He got rid of all those young inspiring lads from the reserve team! I’d say that’s karma for you.
Does football continue in tier 4?
Elite sport should continue in tier 4 which means there will be no disruption to the Scottish Premier League season.
It comes after Nicola Sturgeon last night placed the whole country in tier 4 and effectively ‘closed the border’ to England over the festive period.
In England Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said elite sport such as the English Premier League will continue, while Nicola Sturgeon has not come out and expressively said the same about the SPL.
Non-elite sport all but stops including indoor and outdoor, with only non-contact training permitted.
Further guidance on participating in sport in tier 4 can be found here.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 