Kilmarnock 1-3 Aberdeen: Steve Clarke brands Killie's start 'disgraceful'

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke described his team's start against Aberdeen as "disgraceful" and questioned the players' attitude.

Aberdeen opened the scoring after just 54 seconds at Rugby Park through Kenny McLean, before going on to win 3-1.

"The start of the game was disgraceful. It's nothing to do with the game plan," Clarke said.

"It's about the attitude of the players who went onto the pitch."

Kilmarnock's poor start continued, with Aberdeen scoring again in the 12th minute, Greg Tansey's free-kick being flicked on by Stevie May, before deflecting off Kirk Broadfoot then Stephen O'Donnell for an own goal.

"You're better asking the players," Clarke said.

"Performances by and large have been pretty good. For some reason we decided we weren't going to start the game well today. After [12] minutes the game is over.

Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean opened the scoring at Rugby Park after just 54 seconds

"We gave a good team a two goal start and you can't do that."

Kilmarnock pulled a goal back through Jordan Jones after the break, but May then scored Aberdeen's third before Jones was sent off for receiving his second yellow card. The visitors also had another May effort ruled out for offside.

The defeat means Kilmarnock have still not won a game at home this season, and remain only one point clear of bottom club Dundee.

"When you take over a team at the bottom of the league you know it's going to be difficult," Clarke said.

"There's going to be good moments there's going to be bad moments. We dust ourselves down, we come back and work even harder and try and do better next week."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is now preparing for back-to-back matches against Rangers

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was delighted with the way his side started the game, having lost on their last outing, to Motherwell.

The victory narrowed the gap to Premiership leaders Celtic to three points, and Aberdeen now face back-to-back games against Rangers, who have lost their last two games.

"We were well in charge in the game," McInnes said. "I don't think we were fantastic in keeping the ball in the second half, though in saying that we scored a brilliant goal that should've stood.

"It's not very often Rangers lose three games in a row. It's just for us to try and go [to Ibrox] with confidence. Hopefully we can impose ourselves on the game on Wednesday."