Aberdeen 3-1 Kilmarnock: Three things we learned

By Laurie Finlayson

Warnock walks away on a high

Aberdeen came into this one in poor form: Neil Warnock’s only other victory in interim charge was in the previous round against Bonnyrigg Rose. As cliché as it may be, the cup can provide a welcome distraction for a team having a poor season like Aberdeen are.

When the Dons lost 2-0 to Killie a fortnight ago, Warnock said his team got “bullied.” However, he can be proud of the send-off his Aberdeen side gave him today. They took the lead after 11 minutes when Jamie McGrath scored the rebound from Junior Hoilett’s effort.

They doubled their lead after 33 minutes when captain Graeme Shinnie's rifled shot was helped in via a deflection. This left the visitors in a tricky position, but they got the next goal thanks to their talisman, Danny Armstrong, who got on the end of Kyle Vassell’s cross to smash it in just before the break.

After the restart, Derek McInnes’ side put more pressure on a usually porous Dons rearguard.

However, Killie couldn’t find a leveller and it was the home side who would strike again to all but end the Ayrshire side’s hopes of reaching the last four of the Scottish Cup since they won the whole thing in 1997 with McGrath’s initial shot going in off a helpless Stuart Findlay.

This result means Aberdeen have made it into the last four and have booked a third visit to Hampden this season. The semi-final draw takes place on Monday night following the conclusion of Greenock Morton vs Hearts, the last quarter-final tie.

Killie were off-colour at Pittodrie

Coming into this quarter-final, the Kilmarnock faithful were full of confidence, with only two defeats in their previous 16 matches (both of which coming against Rangers). They were well backed too with over 1,500 fans making the trip from Ayrshire to the Granite City for the lunchtime kick-off.

The fans weren’t rewarded, though. Across the 90 minutes, McInnes’ toothless side only managed a couple of efforts on target. They were also uncharacteristically sloppy, and that slackness is perhaps what cost them their semi-final place.

Now, all focus shifts to the league, with a potential European football six-pointer against fourth-placed St Mirren next weekend.

What’s next for Aberdeen post-Warnock?

When Warnock was appointed as Aberdeen interim manager last month, the Pittodrie hierarchy hoped the experienced manager would be able to steady the ship until the end of the season to allow them to find a long-term successor to Barry Robson. 

His record south of the border speaks for itself. He has been responsible for eight promotions, including three to the Premier League. In recent years, he has been seen as something of a survival specialist, able to galvanise teams in crisis.

However, Scottish football didn’t treat the 75-year-old too kindly, with only two cup victories to his name and two points gained in the league.

The timing of his departure is strange, but Aberdeen have said in a club that talks with a new manager are “at an advanced stage.” Who that may be, time will tell.




SportLaurie Finlayson