Victory at Partick Thistle ‘feels like big result’ says Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes believes Saturday's thrilling 4-3 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill could turn out to be a huge result in his team's season.

Substitute Adam Rooney's late strike handed the Dons victory to move them top of the table and kept their perfect start intact.

McInnes said: “It felt like a big result. We trained hard all week to win the game and when you don't and it's 3-3 there is no real consolation.

“We don't want to be watching other teams winning games - we want to win. We got the rewards today for their efforts.

“There was some real quality with the goals, a real endeavour and determination to win.

“It doesn't matter if it is the fourth game or the 34th game - every game is important.

“It's been a good start. We have always been a team that can go on winning runs.''

Chris Erksine and Kris Doolan put Thistle ahead after Ryan Christie's opener but Kenny McLean equalised from the spot after the award of a controversial penalty.

Scott Wright scored a stunner to make it 3-2 but Niall Keown equalised before Rooney's late intervention.

Partick Thistle remained pointless after four games and Jags boss Alan Archibald felt aggrieved at the spot-kick which drew Aberdeen level.

He said: “I don't think Stuart Bannigan has to go near Ryan Christie. The ref didn't give it, the linesman did, which infuriates us because nine times out of 10 they don't do anything.

“If I come in and have a pop at the ref, it sounds like sour grapes, but I didn't think he had a great game today.''

He added: “It's disappointing. I think the late goal came from us not winning in the league, and there was a little bit of fear there.

“We didn't defend the cross well enough.

“I thought we were a threat all day. We worked it well from set-plays and had a positive response to going down a goal early, so I'm delighted with the lads. There were a lot of positives in there.'

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