Hibernian 1-1 Aberdeen: Visitors secure Scottish Premiership status

Paul McGinn (left) equalized for Hibernian in the second half

Jim Goodwin admits he has a “big job” ahead of him as Aberdeen secured the safety of the Scottish Premiership despite conceding a late draw against Hibernian.

David Bates gave Aberdeen the lead when he slammed home defender Declan Gallagher’s knockdown.

But Hibs’ Paul McGinn equalized with a near-penetrating goal to deny tenth-placed Aberdeen a consecutive win for the first time since December.

“I knew what I was getting myself into,” Goodwin told ` Scotland.

“Both ourselves and Hibs have achieved massively too little this season. Every great team goes through a transition period at some point.

“A lot of the good players who have stayed with this club are leaving this summer and it’s up to me to recruit fresh faces with energy to get this club back to where they belong.”

The Managerless Hibs have one win in nine league games. However, neither side can be caught by the penultimate St. Johnstone, who pulled Livingston away.

Aberdeen could have fallen behind in the opening minutes when goalkeeper Joe Lewis was penalized for a back pass and conceded an indirect free-kick. Ryan Porteous hammered the ball in from the edge of the six-yard box on goal, but Gallagher ran out to block.

Paul Hanlon headed wide and Elias Melkersen fired around the post with a low shot while Hibs kept the pressure on.

But Aberdeen also had chances. Jonny Hayes snagged a brilliant through ball from Connor Barron to single out Lewis Ferguson, who volleyed him powerfully only to find Hanlon in the way.

Ferguson shot wide and Hayes had a free-kick that was pushed wide as both sides tried to break the impasse, but Joe Newell should have put Hibs ahead early in the second half.

Bates inexplicably passed the ball to him on the edge of the area, but the midfielder took too long to prepare for the shot and Gallagher was able to save.

Bates was to make up for his mistake by blasting Aberdeen in front. Hayes sent a cross towards the back post, Gallagher nodded it down and Bates was on hand to steer home.

Hibs responded well to falling behind. Harry Clarke had blocked a goal-bound shot, Hanlon headed over and Newell should have done better from close range against Lewis.

But Aberdeen could have clinched the points when Vicente Besuijen was inches from a cross and moments later Bates headed over the goal with the goal open.

And they should pay the price because the home team finished the game stronger and deserved the equaliser. Sylvester Jasper flicked a cross into the back post and James Scott nodded down at McGinn, who threw in from a meter away.

The hosts could have stolen the points after the death when a last-ditch effort from Ferguson deflected Josh Doig’s late shot wide of the target.

Man of the Match – Declan Gallagher

Declan Gallagher (left) defended well for Aberdeen, denied Hibs on numerous occasions and was instrumental in Aberdeen’s goal

What did we learn?

The last time these two sides met in the bottom six of the table following their league split was in 2013, a dour 0-0 draw in Derek McInnes’ first game as Aberdeen manager.

The return to the bottom half has marred both clubs. Hibs has gone through seven managers in the past nine years and is currently looking for her eighth, with David Gray acting as interim manager

Goodwin’s previous highlight as manager of Aberdeen was a 3-1 win over Hibs at Pittodrie in March, but in his 10th game as manager, fans are still looking for something to hope for ahead of next season.

This game, despite notable moments for both, was proof of why they find themselves in the bottom six rather than fighting for European spots.

Defensive weaknesses and a lack of penetrating power will be a summer headache for Goodwin and whoever will be his Easter Road counterpart that will need to be alleviated.

what did they say

Interim Hibernian Manager David Gray: “I think over time we earned the three points. We created a lot of chances which was great. I thought the players played well and Aberdeen defended for their lives at times.

“There were a lot of positives to take away from the game.”

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin: “Today’s starting XI are all signed for next season. I went with the team that had something to prove, both to me and to the fans, that they want to be here and be a part of things next year and I thought They were very good for the first 45 minutes.

“The second half was a stop-start. We had chances at 1-0 to go 2-0 up but a draw was probably a fair result.”

What’s next?

Hibernian visit bottom-placed Dundee on Tuesday (7.45pm BST) while Aberdeen visit St Johnstone the following evening (7.45pm).

player of the game

considerAndreas Considin

Hibernian

1. squad number1player namemacey

2. squad number6player nameMcGinn

3. squad number3player namedoig

4. squad number16player nameStevenson

5. squad number20player namejasper

6. squad number2player nameClarke

7. squad number80player nameHenderson

8. squad number25player nameScott

9. squad number5player nameportus

10. squad number4player nameHanlon

11. squad number34player namemilking beans

12. squad number32player nameCampbell

13. squad number33player nameBushiri

14. squad number11player namenew

15. squad number22player nameDoyle Hayes

Aberdeen

1. squad number4player nameconsider

2. squad number3player nameMacKenzie

3. squad number17player namehay

4. squad number21player nameDust

5. squad number2player nameMcCorrie

6. squad number1player nameLewis

7. squad number29player namebaron

8. squad number10player namevisit

9. squad number19player nameFerguson

10. squad number27player nameBates

11. squad number7player nameWatkins

12. squad number5player nameGallagher

13. squad number15player nameMcGeouch

14. squad number16player nameOyo

15. squad number9player nameRamirez

16. squad number11player nameMontgomery

lineups

Hibernian

formation 3-4-2-1

1macey

6McGinn5portus4Hanlon

2Clarke22Doyle Hayes11new3doig

80Henderson32Campbell

34milking beans

• 1macey
• 6McGinn
• 5portus
• 4HanlonReplaced byBushiriat the 88′protocol
• 2Clarke
• 22Doyle Hayes
• 11new
• 3doig
• 80HendersonReplaced byStevensonat the 88′protocol
• 32CampbellReplaced byjasperat the 65′protocol
• 34milking beansReplaced byScottat the 72′protocol

substitute

• 16Stevenson
• 20jasper
• 21Dabrowski
• 24McGregor
• 25Scott
• 30Hauge
• 33Bushiri
• 46Blaney
• 47aiken

Aberdeen

formation 4-2-3-1

1Lewis

2McCorrie5Gallagher27Bates3MacKenzie

29baron19Ferguson

10visit21Dust17hay

7Watkins

• 1Lewis
• 2McCorrieReplaced byconsiderat the 90+8′protocol
• 5Gallagher
• 27Bates90 minutes booked
• 3MacKenzieReplaced byMontgomeryat the 85′protocol
• 29baronReplaced byMcGeouchat the 85′protocol
• 19Ferguson
• 10visit
• 21DustReplaced byOyoat the 64′protocol
• 17hay
• 7WatkinsReplaced byRamirezat the 64′protocol

substitute

• 4consider
• 9Ramirez
• 11Montgomery
• 15McGeouch
• 16Oyo
• 18McLennan
• 20Jenks
• 25forest
• 28Ruth

live text

1. Game ends, Hibernian 1, Aberdeen 1.

2. Second half ends, Hibernian 1, Aberdeen 1.

3. Substitution, Aberdeen. Andrew Considine replaces Ross McCrorie due to injury.

4. Corner, Hibernian. Cashed in by Lewis Ferguson.

5. attempt blocked. Josh Doig (Hibernian) left footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Porteous.

6. attempt blocked. Sylvester Jasper (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Clarke.

7. Corner, Hibernian. Cashed in by Ross McCrorie.

8. attempt blocked. Josh Doig (Hibernian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.

9. Corner, Hibernian. Cashed in by Jonny Hayes.

10. attempt blocked. James Scott (Hibernian) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Clarke.

11. Ryan Porteous (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

12. Foul by Adam Montgomery (Aberdeen).

13. attempt saved. Ryan Porteous (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top center of the goal.

14. David Bates (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

15. Joe Newell (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

16. Foul by David Bates (Aberdeen).

17. Sylvester Jasper (Hibernian) wins a free kick on the left wing.

18. Foul by Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen).

19. Substitute, Hibernian. Rocky Bushiri replaces Paul Hanlon.

20. Substitute, Hibernian. Lewis Stevenson replaces Ewan Henderson.