‘It’s a happy camp’ – Connor Barron bigs up the positive environment under Rohl
Rangers midfielder Connor Barron has been full of praise for new boss Danny Rohl and the changes he’s made since taking charge of the club. The Light Blues made it back-to-back Scottish Premiership wins last night as they defeated Hibernian 1-0 at Easter Road thanks to Danilo’s strike in the fifth minute. It’s been a disastrous start to the season for the Ibrox club as they sacked Russell Martin after 123 days but the tide appears to be turning in Govan under Rohl. Barron played a key part in the important win in the capital last night and spoke after the game about the positive atmosphere amongst the squad: “After the game at the weekend we just wanted to come into the Hibs game, get another three points and build a bit of momentum. “We’ve done that so it’s a happy camp and we’re all buzzing going forward into the weekend. “There’s been a real lift in the dressing-room, and wins help with that as well. “It’s positive in there and it’s important that we keep building momentum week on week and pick up as many points as we can. “Winning helps with everything so we just have to keep going and building that momentum.” Despite having a solid performance, the Scottish international fouled Junior Hoilett in the box at the 84th minute but Jack Butland saved the penalty and ensured Rohl’s men left Edinburgh with the victory. The 23-year-old paid tribute to the goalkeeper and how he always steps up in big moments for the group: “Jack always comes up with the big moments. “We needed him and he stepped up. He’s done it a lot and I owe him one for that. “Things happen in the game, obviously I was gutted (to give away the penalty) but you have to change your thinking really quickly. “You just have to hope Jack steps up and he did. “It was a real good team performance, we showed both sides of the game. “We attacked well I felt and had a real gritty side to us as well, which was nice to see because it’s not always going to be pretty in the league. “It was nice to come away with a good feeling.”
Aberdeen return to winning ways after big win in Ayrshire
Stuart Armstrong’s first half strike earns Aberdeen crucial win in Ayrshire and ends the Dons’ five year drought at Rugby Park It was an impressive start for the Dons, where they saw the majority of the possession. Aberdeen had a very early chance, but Jesper Karlsson’s effort was blocked. Kilmarnock soon had one of their own, from the edge of the box, but it was well saved by Mitov in goals. Aberdeen found themselves ahead after 16 minutes, Karlsson with an effort deflected off a Kilmarnock defender, where Stuart Armstrong calmly struck it into the corner of the net to send the Dons ahead. Killie had a great chance to draw level, Dackers had an attempt from close range but fired high, which should’ve rattled the back of the net. Aberdeen probably played the better football, but it’s just the one goal which separates the sides going into the break. Killie had a great chance early in the first half, Thomson with a corner into the box, and Deas with a simple tap in at the back post but smashed it high and misses as the ball came quickly at him. Robbie Deas had the ball in the net, a short free kick from Thomson clipped onto Polworth, who whipped it into the box, but Brad Lyons, who put the ball into Deas, found himself offside. Zac Williams nearly had the hosts level again, but a header was saved comfortably by Mitov in goals. Kilmarnock came close once again in the final 15, a corner in from Dominic Thomson, and Lyons coming in quickly with his heading, firing wide of goal. Aberdeen were having to defend well in the latter stages as Kilmarnock were looking very confident in grabbing an equaliser as the hosts piled on the pressure. The home side were piling on the pressure but just weren’t managing to get the ball into the net as the Dons continued to defend for their lives. There were penalty claims by Killie after Dackers was taken down by the goal scorer, Armstrong, but nothing given. The full-time whistle went, as the Dons will be very glad the whistle went, but a crucial three points for Aberdeen as Jimmy Thelin takes the vital win back up to Pittodrie. Player Ratings: Kilmarnock: Oluwayemi 6, Stranger 7, Deas 8, Williams 6, Brannan 6, Watson 6, Lyons 7, Polworth 6, Thomson 7, Dackers 6, Kiltie 6. Subs: John-Jules 6, McKenzie 6, Tiffony 6, Anderson 6. Aberdeen: Mitov 8, Devlin 7, Milne 8, Knoester 7, Jensen 7, Shinnie 7, Polvara 7, Lobban 7, Karlsson 8, Lazetic 6, Armstrong 9. Subs: Nisbet 6.
