McInnes undaunted in quest for second place

Derek McInnes remains relaxed about Aberdeen’s quest for a top-two finish despite slipping down to third.

Defeat to Hearts on Saturday through goals from Steven Naismith and David Milinkovic means Rangers leapfrogged the Dons into second in the table.

Aberdeen have finished second for the past three seasons but are in a race for the runners-up spot with Gers and Hibs, but McInnes was not too concerned to see his side slip up and surrender their three-point lead.

“There is going to be to-ing and fro- ing in the last five league games . . .

“What you’d have to recognise is ourselves, Hibs and Rangers, it’s all in our own hands and we can all finish second,” McInnes said.

“We missed an opportunity but there are plenty of opportunities for us to go and rectify that and I’m hoping we can. I think we’re good enough but we have to be more smart with our work.”

For Hearts, it was a 14th unbeaten game at Tynecastle on the bounce, a run which has done a lot to secure them a top-six spot at the split.

Stuart Findlay’s first-half header gave Kilmarnock a 1-0 win at struggling Partick Thistle, who sit one point adrift at the foot of the table after Ross County drew 1-1 with Hibernian.

Ross County led from the 28th minute when Billy Mckay fired home from Alex Schalk’s pass.

Oli Shaw denied the Dingwall side all three points when he tucked home in the 90th minute, meaning second-bottom County are four points adrift of safety.