ABERDEEN winger Jonny Hayes says he is just being realistic when he suggests the Dons are not fighting for the title this year.
There has been no talk from the Aberdeen camp about being genuine title contenders, despite moving one point clear at the top of the Premiership after their 2-0 win over St Johnstone.
While the Red Army are dreaming that this may finally be the season when the Old Firm’s grip on the title is loosened for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson led the Dons to title glory in 1985, no one at Pittodrie is getting carried away – at least publicly.
Hayes, who signed a new long-term deal at Pittodrie this week to commit his future until at least 2018, is happy to admit that he sees the title heading back to Celtic Park come May.
“Realistically, we are aiming for second,” Hayes said.
“You have got to look at the facts. Celtic are much bigger in terms of budgets.
“Obviously anything can happen when it is 11 v 11.
“But Celtic should really win the league, it is their title to lose.
“Last year they won it by almost 30 points, although it will be a bit tighter this year. They haven’t steam-rolled the league like they did last season.
“If we can bridge that gap a bit we would be happy. We are still a work in progress and hopefully in the next couple of years we can put up a title challenge.
“I wouldn’t say we are pessimistic, but we are realistic.”
Although Hayes is not predicting title glory, he still believes it can be another successful season for the Dons.
Last term, Derek McInnes ended the club’s 19-year wait for silverware by lifting the League Cup when beating Inverness Caley Thistle on penalties at Celtic Park.
The Dons also narrowly missed out on claiming runners-up spot in the league for the first time since 1994 due to a controversial 1-0 defeat to Motherwell on the final day of the season.
With second spot in their sights again and a League Cup semi-final with Dundee United at Hampden Park at the end of the month, Aberdeen have a chance to build on last season’s success.
“To get that bit of silverware was definitely a monkey off the club’s back,” the 27-year-old said.
“Now that we have won the League Cup it has made us hungry for more success.
“We are looking to defend our League Cup crown and try to get as close to Celtic as we can in the league.
“Unfortunately we missed out on second position in the league, but it just makes us more determined to get there this year.
“But it will be quite a big ask when you are halfway there and you see how tight the league is.”