Considine aiming higher before the bells ring for New Year

ANDREW CONSIDINE is targeting the familiar surroundings of second place for Aberdeen before the winter break.

The Dons moved up to fourth and above former pacesetters Hearts on goal difference after their hard-fought 2-1 success at St Mirren.

Now Considine believes they can split the Old Firm and reel in Kilmarnock by the end of the month.

Aberdeen host struggling Dundee on Tuesday before welcoming Hearts next Saturday.

Celtic visit Pittodrie on Boxing Day and Derek McInnes takes his improving squad to Livingston for the final game of 2018.

The Dons are finishing strongly following a start to the campaign blighted by injuries and suspensions while new faces were bedding in.

‘Ideally, the aim is to go higher,’ said defender Considine. ‘We’ve just been going about our business. It’s been one of the most inconsistent starts we’ve had for a number of years.

‘We’ve just picked up results but we knew December was massive for us. Four more games to go and if we can pick up four more good results we will be sitting second or third.

‘That will put us in a good position going into the New Year and a platform to kick on.’

McInnes, who has guided Aberdeen to four successive runners-up finishes, stated his men will be back on a regular course by winning their next two fixtures.

‘The three games — St Mirren, Dundee on Tuesday and Hearts — if we can get nine points, it take us to where we normally are at the halfway stage: 36 points,’ noted McInnes.

‘I haven’t enjoyed looking at the league table. Everybody’s saying it’s the most competitive league for a long time and we’re not there. We’re normally there, so it doesn’t sit well with me.

‘We’ve had more injuries and suspension than ever. We’ve played the youngest team in the top flight... young, young players so you get inconsistencies.

‘Hopefully, on December 29 we can reflect on a decent first half of the season.

‘It was a real scruffy game. At times, it needed a wee bit more thought and calmness. There wasn’t a lot in it and a set-piece won the game.’

The only positive for St Mirren from a dismal first half of the season is that they are not adrift at the foot of the table.

‘We’re still in the mix and that’s the important thing’ said manager Oran Kearney.

‘Other teams have had bits of momentum but we’re still craving that five or six-game run that I feel we have in us.

‘It’s important we prove to be strong finishers this season. When we freshen up in January we have to aim to go up another level.’