Derek McInnes pleased with Aberdeen reaction to European exit

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was pleased with the way his side responded to their European exit as they bounced back from defeat to Appollon Limassol to kick off their Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership campaign with a 2-0 win over a hard-working Hamilton side.

McInnes made four changes after the disappointing 2-0 defeat in Cyprus on Thursday night and his side did more than enough to beat 10-man Hamilton.

Anthony O'Connor netted the opener after 26 minutes and substitute Miles Storey wrapped things up in the final minute of normal time. The Dons were aided by the sending off of Hamilton debutant Xavier Tomas for two bookable offences.

McInnes commented: “We were certainly guilty of being wasteful in key moments of the game. It's been disappointing not to score more from set pieces in the European run, so to get one like that today was good.

“When we were hot today, we were really hot, but we were wasteful and it became a bit like a basketball game towards the end. I'd have liked to see a bit more control in there but certain bits of the game I was really pleased with.

“It took too long to get the second goal so I was delighted to get it, and I thought it was a fairer reflection of the game.”

Winger Scott Wright was impressive for the Dons and McInnes is looking for him to kick on this term.

“It's been hard for him with Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn being our wide players over the past four years or so, so it's been hard to get Scott in, and it's unrealistic to expect him to be at that level. He's certainly got the potential to be that and more.

“We think he'll improve with game time. He's got loads to do, but as a one-to-one wide player, he's very exciting to work with and to watch.”

Hamilton boss Martin Canning always expected a tough game against the side who have finished runners-up in the Premiership three years in a row, but was delighted with the way his men stuck to their task and remained in the game.

“It was always going to be a difficult start against the side who were second in the league last year and will probably be up there again this year,” he said.

“Our work rate was excellent and we stayed in the game the whole way through, even when we went down to 10 men - we actually probably got better and kept the ball better!”

Hamilton's cause was not aided by the red card shown to Tomas, who picked up his second booking shortly after the hour.

“Xavier is an experienced guy. I'll have a wee chat with him. He's experienced enough that he'll have dealt with lows before, but I'll have a word with him and try to pick him up."

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