Target Achieved Before The Split

Last updated : 19 April 2015 By ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphpA62F.tmpAberdeen manager Derek McInnes was pleased to see his players secure European football before the Scottish Premiership split after a 1-0 win over Dundee United saw them move five points behind leaders Celtic.  Adam Rooney grabbed his 27th goal of the season from close range in the 39th minute after Mark Reynolds had forced a save from a deep free-kick by Barry Robson, who was sent off in the 72nd minute. The win kept alive Aberdeen's slim title hopes, but McInnes has publicly written them off and called for his side's concrete achievement to be recognised. He said: "I don't think that should be underplayed. I know it has been on the cards for a few weeks, but it's great work for the players that we can secure European football at this stage of the season, with five games to go. That result goes a long way to securing second spot as well, but we would never take that for granted. We lost on the opening day of the season here against Dundee United and, if you had said to me that day we would be 22 points clear of them, I would have grabbed it, and that shows how good the players have been."

McInnes felt his side were well worthy of their win and never felt in danger of losing even after Robson was penalised for catching Charlie Telfer with his arm, yards in front of assistant referee Andrew McWilliam. The Dons manager said: "I never at any point saw Barry elbow him. I think there's a coming together and Barry is trying to protect the ball. I've watched it again and obviously the linesman is far closer than I am, but for me there is no red card offence there. For me it's not clear Barry has committed a foul there. I do think it's really harsh, we will hopefully get a better view of it."

Dundee United suffered another blow when Mario Bilate limped off with a hamstring injury, but not the same one that has ruled him out for most of the season.  United manager Jackie McNamara said: "It's his other leg this time. I feel for the lad, he was visibly upset when he went off. It's been a horrendous time for him with injury, it's been that since he came here in the summer. We will need to assess the damage. I don't think there was a great deal in the match. It's always crucial to get the first goal and that's why they are second in the league. A bit of concentration has cost us for the set-piece, to see the ball and think it was going out, and the reaction has been costly. In open play, I don't think either 'keeper had a lot to do."