Derek McInnes is not ready to give up on his Aberdeen love affair even though the manager’s relationship with the club’s support is getting more strained by the week.
The Dons boss suffered another blow as Hibs cruised to a 2-0 win at Easter Road to open up a five point lead in the race for third in the Premiership.
Martin Boyle’s double did the damage but it could have been worse for the Reds, who have now gone four games without a goal and won just one of their last eight games.
McInnes is the man in the firing line. There’s been rumbled from behind the scenes and outright hostility from some punters online.
But the toughest spell of his eight years is also eating at the manager. Even before kick-off he said: “I wasn’t born or brought up an Aberdeen fan, but I love this club more than any other supporter out there.”
But after defeat he admitted his side are not firing and offer reasons why. Aberdeen have sold key men such as Sam Cosgrove and Scott Wright – unlike Hibs who hung on to Kevin Nisbet and Ryan Porteous.
Replacements Fraser Horby and Flo Kamberi are either rusty or not even in the country yet.
But McInnes is aware of the discontent regardless of the reasons why they are struggling.
He said: “I can understand the fans’ concerns as we have been used to far better than that. Over the piece we have offered more than that and it’s not a stat we are proud of.
“We are disappointed to be on that run but we will work hard to stop that.
“It’s disappointing to lose such an important game.
“Hibs have been pretty clear about trying to get that third spot this season. The fact that they’ve held on to their players through the window despite big money offers, the fact they made good signings at the start of January, we always felt the games against Hibs this season would be very important.
“They had the game won at 2-0 and it was up to us and unfortunately for us, despite the players’ effort, our quality of cross when we get into these moments wasn’t good enough.
“We have to be honest with that. Trying to re-invent our front-line at the end of January has been difficult. We get these boys for a reason, because they’ve not been playing.
“Unless you’re spending money, you have to get them up to speed.”
Aberdeen were blunt in attack and regularly opened up at the back, with Boyle’s pace giving them plenty of problems.
The penalty kick for the opener was a sore one for McInnes though as Lewis Ferguson was punished for bumping in to Jamie Murphy.
The Dons boss said: “The penalty decision had a big bearing on the outcome, or certainly how the first half played out. I think it’s a poor decision.”
The opener was key but Aberdeen never really got going. Boyle buried the penalty and raced clear to notch the second but could have plundered a few more if it wasn’t for Joe Lewis.
It ddn’t help the Dons losing Greg Leigh inside five minutes.
It could have been even worse for the Dons as Chris Cadden went through on goal when the wing back hit the deck clutching his hamstring.
Lewis made a brilliant block but Leigh couldn’t continue and McInnes was forced in to a rethink.
Ross McCrorie forced Ofir Marciano in to a decent save but the visitors were toiling to create.
Lewis was out quick again to deny Boyle after Jackson Irvine’s slick pass opened up the Dons backline and moments later the Easter Road men were ahead.
Boyle battered in to the bottom corner from the penalty spot on 25 minutes after Ferguson was severely punished for clumsily catching Murphy.
Hibs sensed more and Lewis brilliantly blocked Boyle before the break and Christian Doidge after it will similar balls down the channels.
There was only so much the keeper could do though and sure enough the next time Aberdeen were opened up, it proved fatal.
Boyle did the damage again, this time sub Lewis Stevenson slipped him in, and the frontman coolly slotted under the goalie.
Hornby hit the bar with a late header but there was no way back for McInnes and his under fire side.
