Derek McInnes: Post Match Press Conference
On the victory over St Johnstone
“I thought the players dealt with game brilliantly.
“The first half we came from the first minute really; controlled proceedings, dictated the pace of the game, controlled possession, pressed well. I thought we really controlled the game for 35 minutes and deservedly got two goals.
“The first was brilliant influence from Ryan Christie, he is bright as a button. He gets his goal which I think his play merited. We get the second goal after a great delivery from Jonny. Just pressure on their defenders as we had four in the box for the cross. “The control and the way we worked the ball and the appetite to chase the ball down was everything I wanted as I think this could have been a really difficult game, coming here after last week especially. I thought the players dealt with it brilliantly.
“Obviously they’ve made a change with Swanson coming on. We spoke at half time about St Johnstone, the competitive aspect of their game is always there no matter how the game is playing out for them. They never know when they are beaten, they always keep going. It was important we didn’t give them any encouragement that they were going to get something from the game.
“Unfortunately that’s exactly what we did.
“A combination of two or three sloppy moments when we missed opportunities to clear the danger then the referee wants to give a penalty. Really, really soft penalty. I think MacLean has been clever and I don’t think there is any momentum from O’Connor to step forward to catch him. I don’t think there is any real contact.
“Once it goes 2-1 the question was asked by St Johnstone and the players had to deal with that and other than not carrying a real attacking threat in the 2nd half that I would have wanted I thought we dealt really well the fact that St Johnstone chances were kept to a bare minimum.
“Although there was pressure and I credit St Johnstone for coming at us in the 2nd half and we never really had control of the game, but we did deserve to win the game, there’s no question about that.
“It was about maturity, experience on the ball in the 1st half. Really working the opposition today, we really dictated the pace of the game. Work rate. In the 2nd half we had to deal with the situation (of losing a goal) but the players go that extra yard. St Johnstone really pushed us and got after us and we had to deal with that side of it. I thought we dealt with a lot of the balls into the box really well, we headed so many crosses and the work rate from everyone was excellent. A brilliant response after last week’s disappointment and I’m really pleased to pick up all three points at a difficult venue.
“St Johnstone always get results. A lot of teams towards the end of the season can put the tools away and be happy with their lot but you can never aim that at St Johnstone, they go all the way and they’ll still feel that they can do that (finish fourth and get into Europe) and you wouldn’t bet against them.”
On qualifying for European football for a 4th year in a row
“To do that before we go into the split, it shows you the good work done by the players. It is the same as any season – you put together a squad and you hope that you can meet the demand. The demand is to try and get European football, to be competitive as we can be in the league and try to win a cup. We’ve got five games to go in the league if you’re saying that we have now secured European football, we have five games to try and secure second spot and we’re trying to get to our second final this season.
“If you look at it with a bit of perspective, we’re pleased with our work up until now. I know that it’s how you finish a season that will decide whether we are really happy with our work or not.”
Injury latest on Niall McGinn
“Niall McGinn has got a groin strain, he actually felt in the game last week and never trained Monday, Tuesday, he saw the physio, did some work in the pool and we never really thought it was going to be an issue. He trained Thursday without any problems. He reported on Friday morning feeling it a wee bit tight and just the nature of where it is we just felt that to try and push him though today would have been the wrong decision. We are hopeful he will be ok for next week but we still have time to assess it properly.”
Thoughts on the Semi-final next Saturday
“Different competition, it was important to get another three points in the league after losing last week, it’s another week past, five games to go in the league. As a club we’ve never had enough meaningful games toward the end of the season and we’ve now got that. I think the cup and league gives us plenty to play for and the cup gives us a brilliant opportunity to get to a final. As tough as it is going to be against a good Hibs team we are really looking forward to trying to put on a performance. We know our capabilities next Saturday and want to drive ourselves and the club into a final – we’re really looking forward to the game.
“I think we’ve expected them to win the league, I think they’ve been the best team by a long way in their division and it’s just been a matter of time. Nonetheless I’m sure they’ll be glad to get over the line. It will be good to have them back in the league next season, they’ve earned that now. They’re the cup holders, they have a lot of experience. I’ve seen them a lot recently and I’ve seen more of them this season than I did last season but I think there is a case that they are an even better team than the one last season who won the cup. “So we’ve got a challenge next week but you don’t get to a semi-final expecting not to have a challenge. It’s important they get a proper challenge from us and we are really looking forward to the game, we are confident going into it and I have said hopefully we drive ourselves into a final.
“It is difficult to compare the two managers (Alan Stubbs and Neil Lennon). Alan (Stubbs) did a brilliant job with them and maybe it is tougher to get out of the league in Alan’s time there, but to win a cup is a brilliant achievement. I think Neil has got the experience of winning things and he has brought that mentality to them which is important over a league campaign, where you need to go to different venues and churn out results. They will feel at home at Hampden in a semi-final. Neil is used to that environment as well. Although they are in a lower league I think both teams are evenly matched and it is up to us to bring a strong performance.”
“It is difficult to compare the two managers (Alan Stubbs and Neil Lennon). Alan (Stubbs) did a brilliant job with them and maybe it is tougher to get out of the league in Alan’s time there, but to win a cup is a brilliant achievement. I think Neil has got the experience of winning things and he has brought that mentality to them which is important over a league campaign, where you need to go to different venues and churn out results. They will feel at home at Hampden in a semi-final. Neil is used to that environment as well. Although they are in a lower league I think both teams are evenly matched and it is up to us to bring a strong performance.”
