McInnes admits Dons weren't at the races in St Johnstone defeat
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes admitted his side were not at their best as they fell to a 2-0 Premiership defeat against St Johnstone.
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes admitted his side were not at their best as they fell to a 2-0 Premiership defeat against St Johnstone.
Goals from Danny Swanson and Craig Thomson in the last 10 minutes saw the visitors take the points.
McInnes said: “When you play against St Johnstone, the first goal is always very important. When we got some flow to our game in the wide areas we looked very threatening without really causing their goalkeeper any problems.
“While I wasn't convinced we were going to score, I certainly didn't think we were going to lose the game, and I think the referee has a part to play in the first goal. Our set-up in how we dealt with the free-kick is up for question, but I don't think it was a blatant pass back.
“It was a dour game, and while we may have the second best team in the country, we have the worst pitch in the country. It's awful, bobbly and dry and you saw people slipping on it. It's just a poor surface, which didn't help us or St Johnstone.”
Saints boss Tommy Wright was clearly delighted to take all three points, and saw the result as some vindication for his side.
He said: “It's a great three points. We tried to emphasise to the players all week that people wouldn't expect us to come up here and take the three points, but we've put in a sterling performance.
“It wasn't a pretty game. The conditions didn't help and the pitch didn't help, but we've defended well, nullified one of the best teams in the country, and provided the two minutes of quality in the game; the move that got us the free-kick, and the counter-attack that sealed the game for us.
“We were solid, we defended as we know we can do, and I can't remember Aberdeen getting through us. I don't think Alan Mannus has had a difficult save to make.”