The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Players are challenged to rediscover consistency
McInnes tells players fans want to see their team winning every week
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has challenged his players to rediscover the consistency that has been the hallmark of the side during his spell in charge.
The Dons bounced back from back-toback defeats to Rangers with a 1-0 win at Dundee on Friday with the game having the distinction of being McInnes’ 100th league victory at Aberdeen.
McInnes has reached the century of wins quicker than any manager in the club’s history and is keen to build on the win at Dens when he takes his side to his former club St Johnstone tomorrow.
He said: “Supporters want to see their team win and we haven’t been doing that on a regular basis when we have been used to winning. People don’t like that and expect more from us as they have done in the last few seasons.
“I wanted the fans to leave Dundee on Friday proud of our performance and it was great to get a clean sheet in what was a fantastic three points.”
On his 100th league win McInnes added: “It’s an indication of really good, solid work from different squads in the last few years.
“I was keen to get it and hopefully the players can take confidence for what are some tough games to come this month.
“We have to take the three points from Friday into the game at St Johnstone.”
The win at Dens Park brought what was a tense and stressful week at Pittodrie to a happy conclusion following McInnes’ decision to reject Rangers’ advances and remain at Aberdeen.
Having made his mind up to stay, the Dons boss is eager to bring the six-week saga to an end and shift the focus away from him and back to matters on the field.
He said: “I have got huge respect for my players, my staff, our supporters and the chairman.
“I wasn’t prepared to rip that up and tarnish the reputation we have developed here but it is important we now focus on the team.
“I want to be talking about my players’ performances and winning games.
“We have a good team here and there is still more to come from us.”
The Dons’ win at Dundee came without Stevie May, Gary Mackay-Steven and Greg Tansey but McInnes hopes to have Mackay-Steven and May back for the trip to McDiarmid Park.
Tansey, however, is struggling to make the trip to Perth but should recover from a groin injury for Saturday’s game against Hibernian at Pittodrie.