Source: Team_Talk
Mackie makes point to Dons boss
Aberdeen ace Darren Mackie is hopeful his match-winning goal against St Johnstone can help him force his way into Mark McGhee's starting plans.[LNB] However, he insists he is willing to play any part necessary to bring success back to Pittodrie.[LNB]The 28-year-old came off the bench to snatch all three points for the Dons only five minutes from time to make it back-to-back victories for Mark McGhee's new-look outfit after their opening-day hammering of Hamilton.[LNB]He said: "It was a bit of a sclaff but it hit the back of the net and it's three points, so we'll take it.[LNB]"I'm not sure if it took a deflection or not, I just hit it and looked up and it was going into the net. I was just delighted.[LNB]"Over the course of the 90 minutes I think we deserved our win."[LNB]Sone Aluko was the instigator, charging down Alan Maybury's clearance, racing to keep the ball in play and then crossing for Mackie to hit his shot through Danny Grainger's legs for a dramatic winner.[LNB]However, with McGhee having added Josh Magennis and Scott Vernon to his attacking options this summer, Mackie knows he has a fight on his hands to win a regular start.[LNB]He added: "There's strong competition for places this season. There's six or seven of us all competing for places up front, so the ones that are playing well are going to get the start.[LNB]"I think we all knew it was going to be the same team that started on Saturday as last week. My part was to come off the bench and get the winner.[LNB]"Hopefully getting the goal can help me force my way into the team. You want to start every game but it's the manager's decision who starts and you've just got to play your part in the squad.[LNB]"We've got a great togetherness at the moment. We're fighting for each other, we're fighting for wins and it's paying off. Hopefully we can sustain it."[LNB]With goalmouth opportunities rare throughout a disappointing 90 minutes, referee Steven McLean's decision to rule out Andrew Considine's first-half header from Paul Hartley's wicked free-kick for an apparent foul proved controversial.[LNB]McGhee felt his side, who scored with three spot-kicks in the previous weekend's 4-0 hammering of Hamilton, should also have had a penalty in the second half when Maguire had his run obstructed by Kevin Rutkiewicz as he bore down on goal.[LNB]Following Mackie's late strike, St Johnstone were left to rue passing up the game's most clear-cut chance when defender Rutkiewicz sliced wide from barely six yards out after only 16 minutes.[LNB]However, Saints manager Derek McInnes refused to be too downbeat afterwards and declared himself happy with the showing of debutant Alan Maybury in a rejigged back four missing the injured Dave Mackay and the suspended Steven Anderson.[LNB]He said: "I thought Alan Maybury did very well. I thought he used his experience very well.[LNB]"The concern, and it wasn't too much of a concern because of that experience, was that he lacked sharpness from games.[LNB]"But he used his body well and positioned himself well, used the ball well and covered well and he could be well pleased with his debut."
