Derek McInnes: Aberdeen players 'should have fouled Hibs more'

Dons boss admits Hibees 'put us to the sword' as he questions defenders' approach to goals

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes branded his side's display in their defeat to Hibs "disappointing" as he insisted it "didn't feel like a 3-0 game".

Speaking to the Press and Journal, the Dons boss said: “Hibs have been a bit anxious at home of late and if we got that first goal, it would have had a major bearing on the game.

"We allowed too much space for [Scott Allan's] pass to be made for the first goal but the pass shouldn’t be on.

Derek McInnes looks on as his team fall to a 3-0 defeat at Easter Road

“We’re guilty of allowing that space for [Martin] Boyle to run into and he’s punished us."

Reviewing the second and third goals scored by the Hibees - both from emphatic counter-attacks - McInnes admitted Aberdeen losing possession in the lead-up to both strikes had been problematic.

Over the course of the game, the Dons racked up 19 fouls to Hibs' ten, with midfielder Lewis Ferguson and substitute Ryan Hedges receiving the only bookings of the game, albeit the latter was for simulation.

McInnes felt his side could have given away more fouls in order to try and prevent Hibs from adding to their tally.

"We lost possession in their half, and they’ve punished us," he said, adding: "I still think we could even make a foul to stop them getting in the box. Their attacking players took full advantage and it’s disappointing.”