McInnes wary of United threat

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has been impressed by the manner in which bottom-of-the-table Dundee United have been galvanised by new manager and former Don Mixu Paatelainen.

United got their first league win under Paatelainen against Ross County and are now just two points off second bottom Partick Thistle ahead of the New Firm derby at Pittodrie on Saturday.

McInnes said: “Whenever you face Ross County it is a tough game.

“It is tougher when you face them at Dingwall but even when you play them at home it is always a difficult 90 minutes so that was a good win for United.

“I watched the game back on Monday. It was a tight game but United found a way to win, which is something they haven’t been doing.

“A new manager has gone in and the fact they have got that win now will help. They obviously had a cup game to focus on midweek but the new manager will be pleased he has managed to get that sort of impact from them so early on.”

McInnes has told his players they have no time to feel sorry for themselves as they search for a return to winning ways.

He was encouraged by aspects of his side’s performance against Celtic and says his players must remain positive if they are going to end their poor run.

“We were disappointed with the result against Celtic as we had prepared well for the game,” he said.

“Even at 2-0 down we were still in it. We felt there was a lot about the performance we could be satisfied with.

“When you put so much into a game you want to get the win but we didn’t manage to do that.”

Derek McInnes: no time for Dons to feel sorry for themselves.