McInnes looks to keep edge ahead of clash with Celtic

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes aims to find a way to maintain his team’s competitive edge after they set up a top-of-the-table clash with Celtic with a 1-0 victory over Hibernian.

Gary Mackay-Steven’s 38thminute goal was enough to earn the Dons three points at Easter Road and remain level on points with the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders.

Aberdeen’s next game is against the champions at Pittodrie on October 25, but Celtic play twice before then, against Hibs in the Betfred Cup semi-finals and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

“We don’t have a game next week, that’s our own doing with the semifinals being played,” McInnes said.

“We need to really fine-tune our training and keep that edge to our play.

“It’s been a bit stop-start this season with a couple of international breaks. We will certainly need that edge going into the game against Celtic.”

Despite the international break preceding Saturday’s encounter, it was fiercely contested from the start. McInnes started with an attackminded side featuring Mackay-Steven, Stevie May, Adam Rooney, Ryan Christie and Kenny McLean, who supplied a brilliant first-time pass for the opener.

McInnes ended it with five players on the park who can play in central defence as Hibs threw caution to the wind as they chased an equaliser.

The Dons boss was delighted to come through another difficult test with their unbeaten league record intact and enthused about the occasion after a 19,033 crowd saw an absorbing game of football.

“I like coming here anyway and we have managed to get some good results here in the past,” McInnes said.

Hibs head coach Neil Lennon managed to enjoy the game despite being frustrated with his team’s play in the final third.

“I want more,” he said. “We can’t keep saying we are playing well and dropping points.

“That’s one point out of nine at home.

“That has to change and I need more from the forward players. They know that.

“But the attitude and quality was very good, we played well.

“So I have no complaints. I enjoyed the game even though I am very disappointed with the result.”

Picture: SNS. Gary Mackay-Steven’s 38th-minute goal was enough to earn the Dons three points at Hibs.