KILMARNOCK recorded their first win over Aberdeen at Rugby Park in no fewer than 11 years tonight to leapfrog Motherwell in to ninth place the cinch Premiership table as their opponents slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat and surrendered third spot to Hearts.
Derek McInnes’s men were well worth the victory; they dominated from kick-off against Jim Goodwin’s out-of-sorts charges and forged two ahead in the first-half thanks to goals from Scott Robinson and Joe Wright.
Matty Kennedy pulled one back in injury-time. But Ash Taylor and his team mates held on to pick up all three points and take a small step closer to safety. Here are three things which we learned from events in Ayrshire.
DIRE DONS
There is no great disgrace is losing by a single goal to Celtic and Rangers late on at home even if the manner of the defeats was excruciating. Having a man sent off could also explain the away defeat to St Mirren at the weekend to a degree.
But this 2-1 loss suggests that Aberdeen have serious problems.
The Pittodrie club were cut open easily and frequently at the back, failed to gain any kind of foothold in midfield and offered next to nothing in attack. Goodwin clearly has much to address on the training ground before the encounter with Ross County at home on Monday.
He took off the ineffectual Hayden Coulsen, put on Vincente Besuijen and changed his shape after Robinson had put the hosts in front. But Wright was unchallenged as he rose to meet a Taylor cross three minutes before half-time.
Matters did not improve much for Aberdeen in the second-half. Danny Armstrong really should have put Kilmarnock further ahead when a slick attack left him with just goalkeeper Kelle Roos to beat. Lewis Mayo also got on the end of an Armstrong free-kick just yards out.
Kennedy's free-kick gave them hope. But a draw would have been flattering. Ant Stewart, red carded at the SMiSA Stadium on Saturday, was clearly missed in the heart of the defence. But it will take more than one man to sort this out.
The stony silence of the 1,000 or so Aberdeen fans who made the long journey down to Ayrshire to cheer on their heroes in foul wintry conditions told a story. They made their unhappiness well known when referee Don Robertson blew his final whistle.
ROBINSON REVIVAL
McInnes made three changes to the team that came from behind to draw with Motherwell at Fir Park on Friday night – he brought in Liam Polworth, Rory McKenzie and Robinson for the suspended Alan Power, Jordan Jones and Bobby Wales.
It was the first start that Robinson, who has been sidelined with a problematic foot injury which has confounded medical specialists, had made since last January. The striker had featured as a substitute in the post-World Cup games against Hearts and Motherwell this month. But how would he fare from kick-off?
The former Livingston man certainly had plenty to do during the opening 45 minutes. His side quickly took control of proceedings and created several excellent scoring opportunities in the final third. Robinson fired wide, Taylor went close and Christian Doidge and McKenzie both tested Roos.
The 30-year-old finally got the goal which Kilmarnock deserved in the 31st minute when he got on the end of a McKenzie delivery and slotted into the bottom left corner of the net from an acute angle. It was a sweet moment for him given all he has been through in the past 12 months.
His presence on the park could help his side to move up the Premiership table in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign if he maintains this sort of impressive form. He was a nuisance from start to finish. His efforts were appreciated by the home fans. They gave him a standing ovation when he was replaced by Fraser Murray with a few minutes of regulation time remaining.
DUNCAN OF THE DONS
Ryan Duncan, who turns 19 next month, made his first start for Aberdeen against Kilmarnock. The 6ft 1in youngster, the latest youth academy product to make the breakthrough in the north-east, has shown in his first team appearances this term that he has the physical attributes required to handle top flight football. He deserved his chance.
But how would he fare from kick-off on a wet Wednesday night in Ayrshire in December? The answer was rather well. He was probably the visitors’ best outfield performer. Not that it was too difficult. He tested Sam Walker with a powerful attempt in the 23rd minute.
It was a surprise when Duncan was replaced by Christian Ramirez in the second-half. Goodwin could do far worse than stick with the kid going forward on the evidence of this 90 minutes.
