Derek McInnes 'understands Aberdeen fan concerns' as he hits out at Hibs penalty call

Derek McInnes says he understands increasing disgruntlement from the Aberdeen supporters after a 2-0 defeat by Hibs at Easter Road left them five points adrift of their third-placed Premiership rivals and continued a poor run of form.

Derek McInnes cuts a dejected figure after Aberdeen lost 2-0 to Hibs.

The Dons, now in fourth place, have only won one of their past eight matches, a sequence of results that has allowed Jack Ross’ team to leap above them and while they do have a game in hand over Hibs, some sections of the Pittodrie fanbase want an end to McInnes’ near eight-year tenure.

A disputed penalty from Martin Boyle on 27 minutes and another strike from the same player midway through the second half settled the match, with Dons keeper Joe Lewis making a series of saves to keep the score down. McInnes accepts that he and his faltering team will come under scrutiny.

"I can understand the fans' concerns as we have been used to far better than that,” said McInnes. "Over the piece we have offered more than that and it's not a stat [one win in eight] we are proud of. We are disappointed to be on that run but we will work hard to stop that.

"I think we have the players to do that. [Fraser] Hornby and [Florian] Kamberi can be big players for us.

"The three new strikers will hopefully get up to speed and that will help matters. But we certainly need to have more of a punch at the top of the pitch.”

McInnes felt referee Willie Collum was wrong to award Hibs a penalty when Lewis Ferguson was penalised for a foul on Jamie Murphy.

"I thought the penalty decision had a big bearing on the outcome, or certainly how the first half played out,” continued McInnes.

"I think it's a poor decision. I like Willie Collum and I think he's one of our best referees, but I just don't see it. I think Murphy does well, driving into the box, but he toe-pokes it into the side-netting, and Lewis has actually tried to stop himself from going into him. Having seen it again, I still think it's such a harsh decision.”

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