Derek McInnes says Aberdeen have proved their doubters wrong
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes felt his team had answered their doubters after a 2-1 victory over Hearts all but secured second place in the Premiership.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes felt his team had answered their doubters after a 2-1 victory over Hearts all but secured second place in the Premiership.
The Dons restored their nine-point cushion over Rangers and, with a 23-goal advantage with three games left, there is only the remotest chance that they can be denied a hat-trick of runners-up finishes.
Adam Rooney finished on the rebound to give the Dons a deserved half-time lead and Anthony O'Connor headed the winner three minutes after Isma Goncalves had levelled for Hearts in the 61st minute.
McInnes said: “To get over 70 points three seasons in a row, the first team outside the Old Firm to do that, was really important for us, because a lot of people questioned that.
“When we got 70-odd points in the last couple of years a lot of people said it was because Rangers weren't in the division.
“A lot of people thought we would get pushed aside and wouldn't be able to get to those levels. For us to get to 70 points again, take a huge step to getting second spot, says so much about the honesty of the players.
“Every other week people were saying Rangers would be finishing second. Every other week a Rangers player was getting rolled out at press and saying something similar. We kept quiet and did our work.”
Aberdeen secured their win without skipper Ryan Jack, who is a doubt for the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Celtic.
“He's got a slight tear in the groin area,” McInnes said. “It's a worry, I can't pretend otherwise.
“Jacko normally recovers quite well and the medical staff are quite positive he could make the cup final, but it will be touch and go.”
Hearts failed to provide a happy farewell to their 103-year-old main stand, which will now be knocked down to make way for a new £12million structure. Apart from a brief spell before their equaliser, they did not put Aberdeen under any serious pressure.
Head coach Ian Cathro was booed by some of the few fans that remained as the squad briefly came back out after the game to thank the supporters.
Cathro admitted they had a right to be frustrated and angry after their Europa League hopes took another blow - they remain six points behind St Johnstone.
He added: “I understand these things. Whatever situation you are in, you have to front up and take those things if you also want to be the guy who stands there when things turn and the feeling is completely different.
“I hope also that the fans enjoy it when it turns: clap as loud, shout as loud when it's for a different reason.
“You take it because you have to take it, and you look forward to the point when it turns around.”
Cathro, who admitted his side lacked urgency and courage to take the ball from the start, was roundly booed when he removed Don Cowie for Bjorn Johnsen midway through the second half.
“I think that's something which is clear in the thinking: we changed a midfield player for a striker,” Cathro said. “Everybody knows the reason for that.
“Don is one of our most important players, quite possibly the most important, for a whole number of reasons. And I understand it.”