Source: Team_Talk
Gers chief defends Boyd omission
The Ibrox side missed out on a chance to go top of the SPL before Celtic faced Hibernian after failing to find a way past a stubborn Aberdeen defence and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.Darren Mackie could have won all three points for the Dons with a late header that flashed inches wide of the target.Regarding the omission of Boyd, Smith said:"I don't think it was detrimental to the way we played. I felt it was a worthwhile change today and with the way the game eventually went I felt it was the correct one. But that's just the life of a manager."I don't think there is any doubt that we did enough to win the game. I thought we played very well today and dominated most of the possession."We didn't take the two best opportunities that came our way. It's obviously disappointing not to take three points away from a game that we largely dominated."Rangers teenager John Fleck bolstered his growing reputation with another impressive display.Smith was pleased with the youngster's contribution, although felt he could have done better in the final third of the pitch.He added: "He could have a showed a little bit more composure at times but he played very well and does not look fazed by playing [at this level] at all."Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood felt his side did not put enough into the game to merit more than a point."I'm very pleased with the point as Rangers caused us problems with their system and personnel," he said. "I don't think we really got into the game and we seemed half a yard off the pace."I tried to change things in the second half by playing with two wingers but we didn't create too much. We didn't deserve any more than a point but it could be an important point come the end of the season."The Dons boss admitted it would have been harsh on Rangers if Mackie had grabbed a winner at the end."We could have won it at the end with Darren's header but that would have been too much to ask for - although we would have gladly accepted it if it had gone in," he said.Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield had to be replaced by Bertrand Bossu seven minutes into the second half after sustaining a facial injury.However, Calderwood does not expect the goalkeeper to be out of action for too long.He added: "He had to get stitches on his lip but he should be okay for next week."