Midfielder Barry Robson is determined Aberdeen will use the pain of their agonising final-day defeat to Motherwell to fuel their bid to finish second next season.
The Dons missed out on £240,000 and an extra two-week break following the 1-0 defeat to Well at Pittodrie on Sunday.
Craig Reid’s controversial winner, which came after referee Steven McLean allowed play to continue following a foul on Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, hit hard at Pittodrie but Robson, who hopes to sign a new contract with the club this week, is determined to make amends.
He said: “This will make me even hungrier again. We’re disappointed and we have to come back next year and finish second.
“The frustrating thing for me is playing an extra game in Europe and an earlier start, but I am focusing now on having a rest with the family and coming back and finishing second next season.
“There has been a lot more important things going on than my contract. I’ve spoken to the manager and I would love to stay as we have good lads, a top manager and it’s a good club.”
Robson expects to play his part in the next campaign and he has urged his team-mates to come back next month determined to establish the club as regular challengers at the top of the division.
He added: “This is only the start and we have to keep going. This club should be up there challenging every year and this cannot be a flash in the pan season for us.
“Our supporters have been magnificent all season and they will be disappointed too. It was a dejected dressing room, but I know it will give us the incentive to come back even harder next season.
“We’ve made progress but we have to progress again.”
Well’s dramatic winner means the Dons will play in the first qualifying round of the Europa League on July 3.