This is how it feels (Aberdeen 12 05 21)
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5
At times, Ive read on here that finishing third wasnt quite so important after the favourites for the Scottish Cup were dumped out of the tournament by St. Johnstone. I understand why some may feel that way as winning the cup would offer certain guarantees in terms of European qualification, but I have to say I felt finishing third was important and following a controlled and impressive display at Pittodrie, Hibs did just that. This was not a swashbuckling attack, attack, attack performance but it was nevertheless an impressive one.
With Ofir Marciano soon to be off to pastures new, Jack Ross went with Macey in goal and Dabrowski on the bench. Returning to the starting eleven, in place of Newell was Alex Gogic whilst Darren McGregor took over from Porteous in the heart of the defence. Both Newell and Porteous were deemed fit enough to secure a seat on what was a strong looking substitutes bench.
The opening twenty minutes or so were pretty tame in terms of chances being created and it was obvious that Hibs game plan was to frustrate their opponents. An early header by Hedges failed to trouble Macey and the keeper wasnt troubled either when a Hoban effort was blocked on its route to goal. There was one scare however when Hedges messed up his effort on goal and the ball reached the left foot of Hoban, but the big defender scooped his effort high over the bar.
Hibs were working so hard to deny the Dons space to operate with Boyle and Irvine sitting deep in protecting McGinn and Doig. There was plenty of huff and puff from the hosts but little in the way of quality as players like Hedges and Kamberi were hounded when in possession of the ball. At the other end, Nisbet flashed a shot in but Gary Woods was untroubled in dealing with it.
As the half hour approached, Hallberg picked out Doidge with a cross, but the big striker couldnt find a way past Woods with his header. Five minutes later, McGinn rushed forward and shot at goal from around twenty yards, but his effort was deflected wide by McGeough. Having been content to allow Aberdeen the bulk of possession, Hibs started to show more forward intent as the game moved in to the fifteen minute time until the interval. Having said that it was the Dons that had the first two chances in that spell, but Hedges and Hendry couldnt capitalise.
Some four minutes from the break, Hibs took the lead. A long ball from McGregor was headed down by Hedges near the edge of the Dons box. Doig helped the ball on and then Irvine provided a clever flicked pass to Doidge some eighteen yards out. Christian lifted the ball over a defenders outstretched boot and sent a glorious right foot drive beyond the diving Gary Woods. It was a superb strike, and the big man continued his good run of form by giving Hibs a half time lead.
Two minutes into the second half, a Boyle cross reached Irvine at the back post, but the Hibs man lifted his right foot effort just over the bar with Woods beaten. Minutes later, McGregor headed over from a corner before Kamberi and Hedges offered up weak finishes to a couple of half chances at the other end. In fact, Kamberi actually hit the side netting and really should have done better. In the aftermath of the Kamberi effort, Hallberg limped off and was replaced by Magennis.
Hibs were comfortable at this stage as time and time again the Dons midfield players were forced to turn and pass the ball back the way. Indeed, on two separate occasions, McGeough passed back to his own keeper from the half way line. As the hour mark came and went, Aberdeen still looked clueless as to how they might break Hibs down. Soon after, Nisbet and Doig made way for Murphy and Stevenson as Jack Ross took action to counter a slight change of shape by the Dons and to protect the two players that had left the field.
Fifteen minutes from time, a deep delivery from a corner saw Considine rise at the back post but he was prevented from making a clean contact under pressure from Christian Doidge, the Hibs man underlining his importance in defending set pieces. Moments later a shocking Kamberi pass across the centre of the pitch went straight to Jamie Murphy who set out for goal, but his effort was saved low to his right by Gary Woods. Seconds later, a Stevenson cross picked out Doidge beyond the far post. The big man controlled the ball and fired it back across goal where McLennan took a poor touch, allowing the ball to roll to Irvine but the Hibs man was miles wide with his left footed attempt.
Referee John Beaton had been quiet but in the final ten minutes he found his yellow card and showed it to Considine, Ferguson and Paul McGinn. It felt like the clock had stopped as Hibs faced an added three minutes, but they managed those well with Irvine and Gogic in particular still working at full pelt to close opponents down.
Third place is now secured and only the most ardent of Dons fans could argue that Hibs didnt deserve the three points.
The players
Just before I get to this, I have to confess that my man of the match selection changed about three or four times during the game and so for the first and probably last time Im going to name four joint winners!
Macey Largely untroubled for the whole game with little looking to cause him any problems. I know you can hear the players because theres no fans and Macey is very vocal in keeping his defenders informed.
McGinn Player one of my four joint winners. Paul faced a variety of opponents tonight as the Dons kept trying to change their fortunes, but he was first class throughout and ably supported by Martin Boyle.
McGregor Player two of my four joint winners, Daz was majestic and two particular instances come readily to mind. A group of players clustered around the ball about twenty five yards from goal. Three were Dons and the fourth was Daz who burst out of the group with the ball at his feet to play a fine forward pass. The second instance was his marauding attack down the left wing!
Hanlon Player three of my four joint winners, Paul was absolutely solid tonight and didnt really put a foot wrong in my opinion.
Doig Josh found getting forward was harder than usual, but he still managed to play a key part in the goal.
Boyle Little forward threat in the first half but that was entirely due to him playing the deeper role asked of him by Jack Ross. Got a little livelier in the second half and needless to say was the subject of a couple of brutal challenges.
Hallberg I think Tam McManus summed Melker up well in saying he doesnt really do anything spectacular but is, instead, a good solid pro who wont let you down. He was really good tonight and after hed been replaced, I thought we looked less compact in midfield for five or ten minutes.
Gogic Player four of my four joint winners, Alex once again covered every blade of grass, hassling and harrying the man on the ball until that man made a mistake. His energy seems limitless, and he must be a nightmare to play against.
Irvine Worked his socks off and finished the game strongly but those two missed chances will haunt him in his bed tonight.
Nisbet Kevin was a bit of a doubt for the game, and I felt he was maybe struggling a bit with whatever his injury is. Having said that, he put the lazy claims to bed again tonight.
Doidge Big Christian is on a rich vein of form and that goal tonight was exquisite. It cheered me up no end that he did it at Pittodrie and I hope Richard Gordon was watching!
Magennis Slotted seamlessly into the plan I thought. We were determined to frustrate Aberdeen by giving them no room to play and Kyle managed that just fine.
Stevenson It was interesting to note that Stephen Glass had moved Hedges wide right, and I like to think thats why Lewis was brought on to nullify the threat, which he succeeded in doing.
Murphy Jamie looks fit and hungry, and I cant wait to see if he makes the starting eleven for the cup final.
Jack Ross A happy man tonight and rightly so. Maybe folk will stop saying he cant win the big games now. He got his tactics and team selection spot on and deserves praise for doing so.
Referee A quiet night for John Beaton until the last ten minutes anyway when he decided to go a bit radge with the yellow cards.
With Ofir Marciano soon to be off to pastures new, Jack Ross went with Macey in goal and Dabrowski on the bench. Returning to the starting eleven, in place of Newell was Alex Gogic whilst Darren McGregor took over from Porteous in the heart of the defence. Both Newell and Porteous were deemed fit enough to secure a seat on what was a strong looking substitutes bench.
The opening twenty minutes or so were pretty tame in terms of chances being created and it was obvious that Hibs game plan was to frustrate their opponents. An early header by Hedges failed to trouble Macey and the keeper wasnt troubled either when a Hoban effort was blocked on its route to goal. There was one scare however when Hedges messed up his effort on goal and the ball reached the left foot of Hoban, but the big defender scooped his effort high over the bar.
Hibs were working so hard to deny the Dons space to operate with Boyle and Irvine sitting deep in protecting McGinn and Doig. There was plenty of huff and puff from the hosts but little in the way of quality as players like Hedges and Kamberi were hounded when in possession of the ball. At the other end, Nisbet flashed a shot in but Gary Woods was untroubled in dealing with it.
As the half hour approached, Hallberg picked out Doidge with a cross, but the big striker couldnt find a way past Woods with his header. Five minutes later, McGinn rushed forward and shot at goal from around twenty yards, but his effort was deflected wide by McGeough. Having been content to allow Aberdeen the bulk of possession, Hibs started to show more forward intent as the game moved in to the fifteen minute time until the interval. Having said that it was the Dons that had the first two chances in that spell, but Hedges and Hendry couldnt capitalise.
Some four minutes from the break, Hibs took the lead. A long ball from McGregor was headed down by Hedges near the edge of the Dons box. Doig helped the ball on and then Irvine provided a clever flicked pass to Doidge some eighteen yards out. Christian lifted the ball over a defenders outstretched boot and sent a glorious right foot drive beyond the diving Gary Woods. It was a superb strike, and the big man continued his good run of form by giving Hibs a half time lead.
Two minutes into the second half, a Boyle cross reached Irvine at the back post, but the Hibs man lifted his right foot effort just over the bar with Woods beaten. Minutes later, McGregor headed over from a corner before Kamberi and Hedges offered up weak finishes to a couple of half chances at the other end. In fact, Kamberi actually hit the side netting and really should have done better. In the aftermath of the Kamberi effort, Hallberg limped off and was replaced by Magennis.
Hibs were comfortable at this stage as time and time again the Dons midfield players were forced to turn and pass the ball back the way. Indeed, on two separate occasions, McGeough passed back to his own keeper from the half way line. As the hour mark came and went, Aberdeen still looked clueless as to how they might break Hibs down. Soon after, Nisbet and Doig made way for Murphy and Stevenson as Jack Ross took action to counter a slight change of shape by the Dons and to protect the two players that had left the field.
Fifteen minutes from time, a deep delivery from a corner saw Considine rise at the back post but he was prevented from making a clean contact under pressure from Christian Doidge, the Hibs man underlining his importance in defending set pieces. Moments later a shocking Kamberi pass across the centre of the pitch went straight to Jamie Murphy who set out for goal, but his effort was saved low to his right by Gary Woods. Seconds later, a Stevenson cross picked out Doidge beyond the far post. The big man controlled the ball and fired it back across goal where McLennan took a poor touch, allowing the ball to roll to Irvine but the Hibs man was miles wide with his left footed attempt.
Referee John Beaton had been quiet but in the final ten minutes he found his yellow card and showed it to Considine, Ferguson and Paul McGinn. It felt like the clock had stopped as Hibs faced an added three minutes, but they managed those well with Irvine and Gogic in particular still working at full pelt to close opponents down.
Third place is now secured and only the most ardent of Dons fans could argue that Hibs didnt deserve the three points.
The players
Just before I get to this, I have to confess that my man of the match selection changed about three or four times during the game and so for the first and probably last time Im going to name four joint winners!
Macey Largely untroubled for the whole game with little looking to cause him any problems. I know you can hear the players because theres no fans and Macey is very vocal in keeping his defenders informed.
McGinn Player one of my four joint winners. Paul faced a variety of opponents tonight as the Dons kept trying to change their fortunes, but he was first class throughout and ably supported by Martin Boyle.
McGregor Player two of my four joint winners, Daz was majestic and two particular instances come readily to mind. A group of players clustered around the ball about twenty five yards from goal. Three were Dons and the fourth was Daz who burst out of the group with the ball at his feet to play a fine forward pass. The second instance was his marauding attack down the left wing!
Hanlon Player three of my four joint winners, Paul was absolutely solid tonight and didnt really put a foot wrong in my opinion.
Doig Josh found getting forward was harder than usual, but he still managed to play a key part in the goal.
Boyle Little forward threat in the first half but that was entirely due to him playing the deeper role asked of him by Jack Ross. Got a little livelier in the second half and needless to say was the subject of a couple of brutal challenges.
Hallberg I think Tam McManus summed Melker up well in saying he doesnt really do anything spectacular but is, instead, a good solid pro who wont let you down. He was really good tonight and after hed been replaced, I thought we looked less compact in midfield for five or ten minutes.
Gogic Player four of my four joint winners, Alex once again covered every blade of grass, hassling and harrying the man on the ball until that man made a mistake. His energy seems limitless, and he must be a nightmare to play against.
Irvine Worked his socks off and finished the game strongly but those two missed chances will haunt him in his bed tonight.
Nisbet Kevin was a bit of a doubt for the game, and I felt he was maybe struggling a bit with whatever his injury is. Having said that, he put the lazy claims to bed again tonight.
Doidge Big Christian is on a rich vein of form and that goal tonight was exquisite. It cheered me up no end that he did it at Pittodrie and I hope Richard Gordon was watching!
Magennis Slotted seamlessly into the plan I thought. We were determined to frustrate Aberdeen by giving them no room to play and Kyle managed that just fine.
Stevenson It was interesting to note that Stephen Glass had moved Hedges wide right, and I like to think thats why Lewis was brought on to nullify the threat, which he succeeded in doing.
Murphy Jamie looks fit and hungry, and I cant wait to see if he makes the starting eleven for the cup final.
Jack Ross A happy man tonight and rightly so. Maybe folk will stop saying he cant win the big games now. He got his tactics and team selection spot on and deserves praise for doing so.
Referee A quiet night for John Beaton until the last ten minutes anyway when he decided to go a bit radge with the yellow cards.