Dons don’t want to be sinners against Saints in Sunday showdown

ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes says there is no chance his side will take struggling St Johnstone lightly on Sunday.

The Perth Saints have endured a difficult start to the season with only two wins from their opening 12 matches.

It took Tommy Wright’s side until October 26 to register their first victory of the 2019-20 campaign with a 3-2 success against Hamilton before following that up with a 1-0 win against Hearts that signalled the end of Craig Levein’s time in charge of the Jambos.

But the Perth side went down 4-1 at home to Hibernian on their last outing and could head into this weekend’s encounter with the Dons bottom of the table if St Mirren defeat Ross County on Saturday.

McInnes, however, is expecting a stern test against St Johnstone, having won only one of their previous five matches against Wright’s men.

He said: “We can’t depend on the opposition having a bad day. We have got to try to make it a good day for us.

“When you look at the options they have from middle to front, they have some very good players, like a few teams in this league.

“They are maybe better than what they have shown and I’m sure they will get that consistency they are known for at some point.”

The Dons will come up against a familiar face in striker Stevie May, who returned to his hometown team in the summer.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Preston player got his second goal of the season in the 4-1 defeat by Hibs.

McInnes said: “We know Stevie well.

“He managed to get a goal against Hibs and he is getting regular football in the number nine position.”

Stevie May will face former club Aberdeen.