Aberdeen 0-0 Dundee Utd
SPL
02/01/21
Derek McInnes wants to see a lot more from his Dons squad after a toothless performance in the 0-0 draw against Dundee United at Pittodrie
That’s Aberdeen’s third draw in six games since the beginning of December and the second time they haven’t hit the back of the net in three.
Dropping points at home will hurt however Hibernian had a nightmare showing at Easter Road losing 3-0 to a buoyant Livingston.
The results mean Aberdeen extend their lead over Hibs to three points, four behind Celtic who lost to Rangers in the early kick-off.
Team selection: Main or Cosgrove?
McInnes made two changes to the Dons side that beat St Johnstone last weekend with Niall McGinn coming in for Dean Campbell and Curtis Main in for Sam Cosgrove.
McInnes seems unsure who should lead the line for the Dons with Cosgrove previously cementing his place up front after his twenty plus goal haul last season. However after a lengthy injury for the Yorkshire born striker and with glimpses of form shown by Main the number nine position at Pittodrie is chopping and changing.
To make matters more confusing for McInnes, this season Main and Cosgrove’s goal scoring stats have been almost identical with both strikers scoring three goals in six starts.
McInnes expects a lot more
Former Don now United main man Lawrence Shankland came closest to breaking the deadlock when his strike on nine minutes crashed off the cross bar.
The Dons had a lot of the play in the middle of the park but couldn’t carve open that killer chance.
After the match a disappointed Ryan Hedges told Red TV: “Our final third quality was lacking today and that’s two points dropped.”
McInnes was less disappointed more angry with the result.
Satisfied with the first half McInnes told the BBC after the game: “We lost control in terms of showing our poise and experience. I expect a lot more from the talent we had on the pitch”
McInnes was also unhappy with his side being denied a penalty in the first half off a challenge received by Ryan Hedges.
The Dons boss said of the incident: “I’ve seen it at half-time and it looked like a penalty.”
Micky Mellon was the happier of the managers continuing to build on United’s New Firm form with a second draw in a row after United lost the previous four against Aberdeen.
Mellon told BBC Sport Scotland after the match: “We want to move Dundee United forward and come to places like this and compete.
“Credit to the group. We were well worthy of a point and probably had the better chances to win the game.”
Further articles:
–Football history: Under Ferguson and McLean Aberdeen and Dundee Utd were the power base of Scottish football christened the ‘New Firm’. Comparison then and now
–Last match Dons come from behind to beat St Johnstone 2-1: Reaction
–One of Aberdeen FC’s greatest ever rivals Jim McLean dies aged 83: Tribute
–Dons chairman Cormack calls for Celtic to join as Atlantic League proposal rolled out again to save ‘ailing’ SPL product: Analysis and fan view
–Bundesliga is back after the winter break: See what’s happened and what’s to come including Lewandowski looking to break a 49 year goalscoring record #RL40
Tributes flood in for two greats of the game who passed away recently
Aberdeen and Dundee United have both been mourning the loss of memorable servants to their clubs in recent weeks.
For the Dons they lost valuable contributor to the cause Chic McLelland who was an integral part of Aberdeen FC both on the pitch back in the 70s and off it when Chic stepped in to help develop Aberdeen’s youth set-up.
Head of the youth academy and former team mate Neil Simpson paid tribute to Chic on the Aberdeen club website saying: “Chic had a brilliant work ethic. Just doing his best for the club and trying to get as many young boys through as he could.
“Such a hard working man and he did it all for the benefit of Aberdeen Football Club.”
Also being remembered having made more a dinosaur killing comet sized crater than a mark on North-east football was the formidable Jim McLean who passed away last week at the age of 83.
McLean was one of the Godfathers of the Scottish game along with the likes of Fergie and Jock Stein after a twenty-two year tenure at United that took the Tangerines to the pinnacle of European football.
The biggest praise for McLean came from his former rival on the North-east coast Aberdeen and Man Utd great Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson said of all the men he came up against McLean was the greatest: “My adversaries in England were Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Arsene Wenger, but believe me my biggest adversary in football was Jim McLean.”
New boss in Old Firm as Rangers come out on top
Scotland’s second biggest game after the New Firm is the Old Firm which also took place today in what was a full roster of Premiership fixtures.
Rangers beat Celtic 1-0 having not registered a shot on target the entire match.
Joe Aribo’s header was deflected in by Celtic captain Callum McGregor to leave the Hoops a colossal nineteen points behind Rangers with three games in hand.
The result was harsh on under fire boss Neil Lennon whose side were the better team for the majority of the match even with the sending off of Nir Bitton midway through the second half.
The closest Celtic came to scoring was a Leigh Griffiths’ first half shot which was superbly tipped on to the post by Gers keeper Alan McGregor.
McGregor rolled back the years producing a brilliant performance including a double save off Odsonne Edouard.
Up next: Rangers at home, Sunday 10th
The big one. Aberdeen welcome runaway league leaders Rangers to Pittodrie. Sunday, KO 15:00.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 