Source: Team_Talk
McGhee unsure over Aluko release
Aluko was a 55th-minute substitute after returning from a Nigerian training camp with an Achilles problem, but almost set up a late winner when his break ended with Peter Pawlett hitting the bar from 20 yards.
The 20-year-old was due to leave for the tournament in Egypt on Tuesday, but McGhee is not sure whether he will release him at all.
"Certainly not after that - he won't be going on Tuesday," said McGhee.
"I've still to decide whether he's going or not.
"I'll respect Sone's wishes. But he has got to convince me he's 100% fit and he has not done that tonight.
"I've got to take Aberdeen into account. We can't afford him to come back injured - so I've got to be convinced that, before he goes, he's 100%."
While McGhee is not satisfied with Aluko's input, he blamed himself for Aberdeen's failure to take three points.
The Dons boss handed Michael Paton his first start as he introduced the 4-3-3 formation that brought him so much success at Motherwell, but he changed back to a 4-4-2 when Aluko came on.
Although both sides had chances in the first half, it was Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield who was forced into the more spectacular saves.
"I think the system stymied us," said McGhee.
"Sometimes managers have to take responsibility, and the 4-3-3 just didn't work for us.
"We were trying to get in behind them but we did it from the back rather than through the midfield. There is a lot more work to be done before we can play a three again."
Falkirk manager Eddie May was delighted to get his first point as manager but disappointed his side could not finish their chances.
"I'm officially not the worst manager in Britain now, which helps," May joked.
"I thought we played well and made a lot of chances. Their goalkeeper played well, and a combination of better finishing would maybe have won us the game."
The Falkirk boss felt a pushing match between Robert Olejnik and midfielder Scott Arfield - which saw both players booked - was down to a "desire to win".
But he told his goalkeeper he did not want to see him race off his line to remonstrate with a team-mate again.
"I don't think there was any need for it," he said.
"If you're going to be aggressive, make sure it's in the right areas and against an opponent."
