Del out to ensure Celts have to work for their title
Derek Mcinnes admits it will be “tough” for Aberdeen to catch Celtic this season.
But the Dons boss is determined to make the Hoops work to win the Premiership.
Mcinnes’ side can close the gap on the league leaders to six points with a win at Pittodrie today.
With 10 games remaining – and with Rangers and Hibs also poised – that would raise hopes of a thrilling end to the campaign.
Aberdeen’s gaffer recognises that, and doesn’t shirk the responsibility he feels to keep putting wins on the board.
But Mcinnes also admits reaching a potentially league-winning points total of 80-plus is a big ask.
“Ironically, we are close as we’ve been to Celtic at any point this season in being nine points behind with 11 games to go,” he said.
“I think we’d have been getting talked up about that, but there are obviously other teams in the mix.
“Hibs are there or thereabouts. Rangers have certainly been suggesting they could offer more of a challenge again as well.
“I do think that when you have three teams within nine points of each other at the top of the table you would have to say that nothing’s certain with that.
“I think if you looked across any other league in Europe and saw that you’d say there was still work to be done for Celtic to win the league.
“It is up to us at Aberdeen to try to keep winning games between now and the end of the season.”
He added: “I still think 80-plus points will win the league. We’re on 52 with 33 to play for, so that shows you the task ahead of clubs like ourselves.
“To get to 80-odd points with only 11 games to go will be tough – 80-plus points will win the league again this year.”
Celtic’s midweek Europa League exertions could be a factor today. But Mcinnes isn’t expecting anything other than a strong Hoops line-up – because that’s how seriously Brendan Rodgers has always taken games against Aberdeen.
“Celtic have always seen our game as a big game and an opportunity to slap us down,” said Mcinnes.
“The approach has always been very much like that. They’ve always played their strongest team and, when the games come thick and fast for Celtic, that isn’t always the case against other teams.
“Regardless of what Celtic team we play against we expect a better level of performance ( than in previous games against them). A better level of 90-minute performance.”