Aberdeen 3-1 Kilmarnock: A lot-improved hosts via to Scottish Cup semis

Aberdeen delivered one of the best efficiency of Neil Warnock’s tenure in what proved to be his last sport by dispatching Kilmarnock to say the primary spot within the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

That got here after simply the second win of his eight-game interim stint in opposition to a Kilmarnock facet who had received all three Premiership conferences of the edges this season.

A much-improved Aberdeen – 14 factors worse off than Kilmarnock – got here out swinging and caught the Ayrshire guests chilly when Jamie McGrath bundled in a rebound after the vigorous Junior Hoilett had a shot saved.

That objective was a wake-up name for the away facet, who responded properly however had been quickly selecting the ball out of their internet once more when Graeme Shinnie rifled into the top-left nook by way of a slight deflection.

Kilmarnock, with out a Scottish Cup semi-final look since 1997, gave their giant away following hope on the finish of a gripping first half after Kyle Vassell watched Danny Armstrong smash in his dinked cross.

However the revived hosts capped off an encouraging show and sealed a deserved win when McGrath’s effort was diverted in by the pinnacle of opposing defender Stuart Findlay.

Aberdeen, who misplaced this season’s League Cup last to Rangers below Barry Robson, will discover out their last-four opponent on Monday following Hearts’ journey to Greenock Morton – dwell on BBC Scotland.

Nonetheless, they are going to be with out the instrumental captain for the semi-final after he was booked for dissent when arguing he ought to have been awarded a late free-kick.

Participant of the match – Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen)

Aberdeen present struggle Warnock craves – evaluation

It sounds easy, however simply seeing that degree of struggle and utility can be so reassuring for the Aberdeen followers, who now know this workforce is able to turning it on in opposition to top-flight opposition.

After the way in which they collapsed in Paisley final weekend, it was an enormous check of character for the hosts when Armstrong pulled one again, however they stood as much as that check impeccably. In actual fact, if something, they improved after the setback.

It’s now crucial for Peter Leven – who will take interim cost – and whoever is appointed on a longer-term foundation to ensure his workforce transfers this degree of efficiency to their league outings.

This can be a sore one for Derek McInnes in opposition to his former membership. The absence of the injured Matty Kennedy meant Kilmarnock moved to a 3-5-2 form, which regarded unfamiliar to them in a disjointed first half.

The half-time introduction of Fraser Murray allowed McInnes to revert again to a 4-4-2 system that has been serving them so properly, however the away facet didn’t capitalise on the objective they pulled again simply earlier than the break.

They can not enable the damage of this defeat to derail their pursuit of European soccer.

What they stated

Aberdeen midfielder Jamie McGrath: “We’re saying inside that we won’t let this be a flash within the pan. He must construct on this. We obtained the rub of the inexperienced right now and possibly deserving of it to undergo.

“We obtained the luck right now we’ve not obtained previously few weeks however the work charge was there to see. We out-battled them.”

Kilmarnock supervisor Derek McInnes: “Large disappointment. We by no means fairly obtained to the degrees we have been for almost all of the season. We anticipated Aberdeen being as direct as they had been and making an attempt to carry a physicality to it.

“They received a number of second balls within the early a part of the sport and get the primary objective, which is essential for a workforce scuffling with confidence.”

What’s subsequent?

Aberdeen journey to Dundee on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), whereas Kilmarnock return to motion subsequent Saturday at house to St Mirren (15:00).