Aberdeen boss McInnes hails returning trio

The Dons put in a lifeless display as they were dumped out of the William Hill Scottish Cup by Motherwell last weekend.

They were without skipper Graeme Shinnie, defender Shay Logan and midfield talisman Kenny McLean for that 3-0 semi-final set-back but all three returned against Killie at Rugby Park.

And they put in important displays, with McLean and Logan scoring either side of half-time and Shinnie named man-of-the-match in a 2-0 win which nudged the Pittodrie side back in front of second-place rivals Rangers ahead of their clash with Hearts on Sunday.

McInnes - who had watched Hibernian draw level with his side before kick-off in Ayrshire with victory over Celtic - said: `There's no doubting the influence of key players today that we didn't have available last week.

`They had a big bearing on the game - McLean's quality for the first goal separated the teams and once we got a grip with Kilmarnock's change of shape, we started to get a foothold in the game.

`I'm delighted for my players because we've all taken a bit of a kicking this week, so it's great for them to get the reward of three points.

`The togetherness shown was great and it's good for the supporters to come down and see a winning team again.

`It's in our own hands to finish second, as it is for Rangers and Hibs so we don't look too far ahead.

`But I think there will be a few twists and turns yet in this top six with so many good teams involved.'

McLean rifled Aberdeen ahead eight minutes before the break as Killie keeper Leo Fasan reacted slowly when the Norwich-bound midfielder fired towards the near-post from 25 yards out.

The former Celtic stopper was more alert in the 59th minute as he parried Anthony O'Connor's downward header but was let down by his team-mates, who neglected to track Logan as the Aberdeen man pounced on the rebound for number two.

And Killie boss Steve Clarke was in no mood to point the finger of blame at his goalkeeper as his side lost on league duty for the first time in 12 matches.

I'm not an expert on it,' he said after being asked for his view on the opener.I'd need to see it again to be honest.

`Having said that he made an unbelievable save inside the first minute and then made a really good save at the second goal - but his defenders didn't help him out with the second ball.

`Leo will probably be a bit disappointed with the first goal but he shouldn't be disappointed with his overall contribution.'

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