Frustrated Jamie McGrath has admitted Aberdeen need to learn lessons after they twice failed to see out victory in stoppage time at Hibs.
The Dons were leading 2-1 and then went 3-2 ahead but were pegged back on both occasions and McGrath admitted the Easter Road point felt more like a defeat. Aberdeen were winning 2-1 when Nicky Cadden scored a great free kick for Hibs and then an Ester Sokler overhead kick in the 94th minute put the Dons back in the driving seat, before another late collapse let Rocky Bushiri bundle in another leveller in the 96th minute.
McGrath said: “I looked at the clock and there was 30 seconds left. As a collective, we just have to defend better. I think our front four was probably too high from when we knew the ball was coming. As a group, we just didn’t defend our box well enough and ultimately, you get punished. It’s a very harsh lesson to learn but to win games in this league, you have to do everything you can for the full 96 minutes.”
McGrath acknowledged the late drama in Leith was something of a rollercoaster. The positive for Aberdeen is that they did put a point on the board after their first league defeat at St Mirren at the weekend. The Irish international admitted: “Yeah, it was up there alright, the highs and lows. One minute you’re on top of the world and celebrating with the fans and the next you’re at the bottom.
“Now we just have to take the positive. We know the first half probably wasn’t good enough.
“To come round and draw the game, I know we had the three points in our hands so it’s going to feel like a defeat, but the important line was we didn’t lose and we have to take the positives, try to stay positive as we can.
“When you go on behind there, it’s a tricky place to be and I thought we showed really good character in the second half. We created some really good chances and played some really good stuff. We looked a lot more like ourselves and were dangerous in transitions.
“To score three goals away from home as well, it’s encouraging but to not get three points after scoring three goals away from home, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. We just have to stay positive.”
Aberdeen complete things with a third away game in just over a week when they make the return to the capital and make the trip to Tynecastle on Sunday. They don’t have a great record at Hearts but Aberdeen will be hoping that will change when Jimmy Thelin makes his first visit there.
McGrath said: “Yeah, we look forward to it. It’s a really nice stadium and a great place to play football. We have to try not to let this affect us too much. “
“We can obviously be disappointed tonight. We can’t let it drag us out for the next few days leading into it. We have to focus on the positives and try to create a positive energy around the place again.
“I look forward to Sunday. It’s been a while since you won at Tynecastle but I suppose there’s a new manager and a lot of new players.”
McGrath is out of contract in the summer and he has certainly made his contribution to Aberdeen. He chipped in with Aberdeen’s first goal at Hibs. That is four goals for the campaign and six assists.
McGrath claimed: “It’s always nice to have the boys take pressure off the lads up top but I think that’s the team this year. I think everybody’s chipping in.
“You’ve seen Shayden, the impact he’s had when he’s come on and Ester has scored one of the best goals you’ll ever see. Bottom line is we are disappointed in there but we can’t let it affect us now going into Sunday. To have the three points in your hand and not come away with it is a tough feeling.”