Celtic Post Match | Derek McInnes

Derek McInnes | Post Match Press Conference | Quotes

“We set up in a way that we knew would give up a bit of possession. We would try and hit Celtic on the counter attack. They have hit the bar and Lee has scored with a fantastic strike.

“We wanted to be nice and compact and solid and then open the game up second half. We wanted to stop the Celtic players from finding space by getting bodies in the way but they managed to find it because they are good players. They are always testing your organisation.

“As soon as we went behind we changed the formation. I then thought the response from my team was excellent and Adam gets a goal. We had a couple of other moments as Wes Burns was a constant threat when he had space to work in.

“I thought at 1-1 and even at 2-1, I thought we were the team most likely to get the next goal.

“We went toe to toe with them. We were really aggressive in our work and as I say we looked like the team who would score next. Although Celtic’s movement was excellent in that first half I still thought we were causing them a lot of problems. Our players deserve a lot of credit.

“We changed it further to a 4-4-2 with Kenny on the left and Niall on the right and then we change it further but bringing on Jayden and Miles so we could have a right good go over the last ten minutes.

“The referee then gets involved and gives a penalty when he (Sinclair) is never in control of himself. He is on his way down from ten yards and he is never going to be able to stay on his feet. He then gives a free kick when Rogic over runs the ball and then falls down. A couple of moments there have impacted on the result.

“4-1 was really harsh on the team.

“Sometimes a matter of inches can make the difference.

“I felt as comfortable as I have felt coming here to be honest. I thought we were well in the game. There were a lot of mumps and moans from the crowd who probably expected Celtic to dominate the second half but all the traffic was down the other end.

“The disappointing thing from our point of view was not taking advantage of when we got into some good positions. We had chances to work the keeper but we have not taken them.

“I certainly feel at 2-1 we were the team most likely to get the next goal.

“We have had some decent performances here. The thing about playing Celtic here is you need concentrate for the 90 minutes. We have had some great periods of play here, I remember last time we dominated for half an hour but did not take our chances.

“We have had good passages of play here before and I enjoyed watching my team today in that second half. Enjoyed watching how aggressive we were. We were very committed trying to get that second goal.

“Celtic will ask you questions throughout the 90 minutes and you need to keep your wits about you and make sure you are always doing the right thing because they punish a lack of organisation, a lack of communication – we have seen that certainly with the first goal.

“The improvements Celtic have made this season are clear with the new manager and the signings they have made. You can see the confidence in the team and the confidence from the stands. Today was a decent reference for me. I still see an improvement in my team and believe we can still win games like this and that gives me confidence going forward. We have had a tough start but I am confident we have a lot to look forward to as a team.

“Ryan had a virus.

“We had a virus at the club so we shut the place down on Tuesday and Wednesday. The players came in to train on Thursday but left straight after that, no one was about the ground. We thought we had managed to keep the virus at arm’s length. The irony is that Ryan was passed fit to play in the game this morning (despite his knee injury) but the virus got hold of him. We gave him every chance, up until 1.45pm but it was clear he could not play.

“We had worked the last couple of days with Ryan Jack in the middle of the park. Our preparation had been with Ryan in a specific role so we missed him.

“He will now go in for an operation at the beginning of the week.

“I will need to speak with the Chairman (about making a signing before the transfer deadline on Wednesday). We are where we are with the budget. I think in certain areas we are really strong. We have two brilliant goalkeepers. We have strong centre half’s. In the full back areas, the front positions and wide areas we are not bad. So in certain areas we are fine but with Ryan out the middle of the park is an area where we may have to act then worry about the budget in January.

“We should have Jonny Hayes and Peter Pawlett back fit after the international break.”