Derek McInnes | Post Match Press Conference |

“There were similarities to last week.

“We started the game really well and were dominating the game. I thought we had a lot of top performances in that opening half an hour. I thought we deservedly got our goal. The players did everything we asked of them. They kept switching the play, they were bright on the ball, moved the ball at a bit of tempo.

“Then there was a forced change for Kilmarnock. Without doubt it helped their cause. The game then became quicker. There were quicker decisions to be made. We did not get as much time on the ball and did not get any rhythm or fluency to our play.

“I thought half time came at a good time for us. We were disjointed like the second half performance at Murrayfield. We spoke about the need to tighten up and make the game a bit more simplistic. We wanted to get the ball moving again and get better pressure on the ball.

“There are moments of sloppiness with the goal we concede. I am not sure we react quick enough and deal with it. It was a fortunate goal for Kilmarnock but 100% they deserved a point today. They were the team who had enough discipline against the ball in the second half and we did not have enough tempo or thought or calmness to go and get the winning goal.

“I thought it was all too hurry-scurry. We hoped to win rather than setting out to win. And we never had enough good performances in the second half. Yes we had a little rally late on but it was not enough.

“We got what we deserved. We deserved to drop two points.

“I thought Ryan Christie was busy but I don’t think we looked any more threatening when the substitutes came on. We were not any more potent.

“We were unconvincing in our work. We did not do enough to win the game. We tried to make changes to change the dynamic of the game but all in all it was a patchy second half performance. We know that we need to be getting better to be winning games like that. It is two points dropped.

“After coming out of the traps strongly and playing well for half an hour, when questions were asked of us to do a bit more in the second half we did not do enough.

“We are 12 or so games into the season. We are in September. The gelling issuing does not have the same weight behind it.

“We are still unbeaten and still second top. So we are not going to get too concerned but I do feel we are capable of so much more. It is important we all work hard to find that form.

“We need to show a bit more control. We made changes to try and get that control. It was not like for like changes. We tried to change the flow of the game but again there was a pattern through the second half that we did not ask enough questions.

“I thought Kilmarnock got a huge lift from the goal and they get a bit of confidence and had something to hold onto. But we caused that. We allowed that opportunity to happen.

“The better players in the second half were in the Kilmarnock jerseys.

“We have a double header against a Motherwell side who are in good form. They are finding goals easy to come by. They got a good point today. They know what they are and have an identity to what they do. It will be a tough game but one we are looking forward to.

“It is an opportunity for both sides to get to a semi-final. Both teams will fancy their chances.”

“It is an opportunity for both sides to get to a semi-final. Both teams will fancy their chances.”