THEY STAND

Aberdeen forward believes result flatters champions

they looked a bit cagey. The two goals late on hurt and I’m not sure itwasa penalty. The free kick one put a different reflection on the game but I think overall there werealot of positives to takefrom it.”

The Dons have been Celtic’s closest league challengers over the past two seasons and they managed to take six points off the Hoops with two wins at Pittodrie last term.

Despite Saturday’s result, Rooney feels the Dons can push the Hoops all the way this season.

He added: “We have been beaten at Parkhead by three and four goals before and then have beaten them at our place.

“We just have to look forward to the next game against them. We have a break now, so we have to regroup, take any positives we can from the game and look forward to the rest of the season.”

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has not given up hope of adding to his squad before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.

The Dons manager has pinpointed a midfielder as his priority,

HOW

with captainRyan Jack having surgery tomorrow on a knee cartilage problem.

He said: “I’ll need to speak to the chairman. The budget’s spent. In certain areas we’re strong and Jonny Hayes and Peter Pawlett are coming back but the middle of park, depending on Ryan and how long he’s out for, is an area I feelweneed to react to and maybe worry about our budget later in January.”