Glum McGhee knows job is under scrutiny

ABERDEEN manager Mark McGhee admitted for the first time his job is under threat after watching his side capitulate to St Johnstone.

McGhee was incensed by Aberdeen’s defending, lamenting in particular goalkeeper Jamie Langfield’s mistake that led to the equalising goal.

He said: “I’m clearly disappointed with every aspect of the performance apart from Davide Grassi, who I think was the only player to show the commitment we require of them all.

“We’re all playing for our futures. There have been certain aspects there’s mitigation for and I don’t feel culpable for, but when it starts to look like that then clearly I’m not getting as much out of the players I send out there as I require. That starts to reflect on me, so for the first time I’m starting to feel that I’m under threat.

“The first goal in particular was a joke. It was a blunder that I simply can’t legislate for. I felt that our goal gave us an edge, so to find ourselves 2-1 down was ridiculous.

“The players know they’re not safe but they’re just not showing the desire to do something about it. They seem to be hoping that something will happen elsewhere to see them safe without really earning it, and that’s a worry for me.”

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes was delighted with the way his side bounced back from defeat against Dundee United last week to secure their place in next season’s SPL.

The defeat to United effectively cost his side a place in the top six, but McInnes was happy simply to have cemented St Johnstone’s place in the SPL.

He said: “I’ve been told we’re safe now so I’m naturally pleased with that, but I’m more pleased with the performance. There’s no sense of failure that we’ve not reached the top six. We’ve worked very hard, so it’s all credit to the players.

“We scored the goals at a good time and I always felt comfortable after we went in front. Once we go in front I always feel we can stay in front.”

“Cillian Sheridan has a great ratio of starts to goals since he came here and I think he’s getting better. I told him when he signed he would have to buy into what we’re doing here and I think he’s done that. He’s somebody I wanted to bring to here two or three times in the past, and I’m delighted with his goals.”