Dons’ loan star expects to overhaul Rangers in league

having a number of players who have been over the course before. ‘Definitely — we put that pressure on ourselves,’ said the attacking midfielder, who is aiming to win a second Scotland cap in tomorrow evening’s friendly against Costa Rica. ‘We don’t just hope. We expect it from each other to finish second now and it’ll be a disappointment if we don’t. ‘So everyone will be battling when the run-in comes to try to get that second spot sealed. ‘We certainly didn’t ever think it had slipped away from us. ‘From the start, it was our aim to finish second in the league and we’ve got a real chance and are all really confident we can go ahead and fulfil that. ‘Obviously, the way results went meant it turned out to be a very good weekend for us. ‘We’ve also got a game in hand which, hopefully, we’ll win as well and that’ll put us in good contention.’ Aberdeen had failed to win in four successive matches before edging out Kilmarnock in a Scottish Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out last midweek. ‘We were a bit frustrated over the last couple of weeks with a few results and the way we were playing,’ admitted Christie. ‘Obviously, we needed a big performance at Kilmarnock. We didn’t play our best stuff but we got through and then we got three points at the weekend. ‘So it was a good week overall and I’m sure after the international break we’ll be wanting to carry that on.’

RYAN CHRISTIE insists a tried-and-tested Aberdeen squad now expect to secure another second-placed finish ahead of Rangers over the Premiership run-in. The Pittodrie club are back in control of their own fate after their 1-0 victory over Dundee last weekend was coupled with Kilmarnock’s one-goal win at Ibrox. Those results mean Aberdeen can move a point ahead of Graeme Murty’s side by winning their game in hand as they seek to be Celtic’s closest challengers for a fourth successive season. On loan in the northeast from Parkhead, Christie believes the Dons will be aided by