After conceding six goals in two games, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was delighted normal defensive service resumed in Sunday’s 1-0 Scottish Cup win at Partick Thistle.
Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield had only been beaten twice in 11 matches – an impressive run stretching from August to November – before successive 3-1 defeats to the Scottish Premiership’s bottom and top teams Hearts and Celtic.
Langfield was rarely troubled at Firhill in Sunday’s fourth round tie as the Dons progressed to the last 16 of the competition and McInnes was pleased with the display from his side.
The Aberdeen manager said: “We had the best defensive record up until a couple of weeks ago so it is good to get back to that.
“Thistle got the ball forward quicker in the second half and the game became more frantic, which wasn’t ideal, but we got through the tie which I thought we thoroughly deserved.
“Everybody, including the substitutes, worked hard to make sure we got the clean sheet and kept Partick’s opportunities to a minimum. Jamie only had one save and it was one you would expect him to make. That is a credit to the players in front of him.”
McInnes was delighted with the contribution of defender Andrew Considine. The 26-year-old, who spent nine months on the sidelines after breaking his leg against Dundee last December, headed the winning goal to secure the Dons’ passage into the next round.
McInnes said: “Andy is a solid individual and has a good temperament for the game. He was aggressive with anything that was in front of him and won everything in the air or in his own box that had to be won. Even when Thistle threw on another forward he was still alert and focused enough to deal with that. I thought it was a strong display from him.”
When Aberdeen last lifted the Scottish Cup in 1990, they defeated Partick Thistle on their way to Hampden success and McInnes hopes Sunday’s win against the Jags is a good omen.
He added: “It doesn’t do any harm but it is down to what we do on the pitch. The Partick Thistle match was a tough game against good opposition but we got through it.
“The cup winner is going to have to beat some good sides to get there.”