McInnes backing Dons to deliver at the double

DEREK McINNES wants Aberdeen to bounce back from their Europa League exit by going into the international break after back-to-back victories in the Premiership. The Dons boss was proud of his side despite a 1-0 defeat to a Covid-19-depleted Sporting Lisbon in Portugal on Thursday night. The Pittodrie side travel to face Ross County tomorrow and aim to prove last Sunday’s 3-0 Premiership home loss to Motherwell was a blip amid otherwise good recent form. The Dons then host St Mirren next Friday and McInnes wants full points on the board before Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off against Israel next month, which is followed by the Nations League doubleheader against Slovakia and Czech Republic. The Aberdeen boss said: ‘We have two games before the international break and we would love to win them both. ‘If we do that, then we can be happy with what we have produced in the last while. ‘I am happy with a lot of what we have done lately — the Motherwell game aside.’ McInnes was referring to the fact that prior to that home defeat to the Fir Park side last weekend, his team had strung four consecutive Premiership league victories together. ‘You saw in Lisbon more of what we’ve been showing. We were robust, disciplined and carried a threat,’ he added. The Aberdeen squad did not get back from Portugal until 5am yesterday but McInnes has backed his players to cope with the punishing schedule. He said: ‘Most of them have been in this position before, they know the sort of demands that European football puts on them. ‘We will look at the players and then make our minds up what we are going to do for the Ross County game.’