Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is confident a week in the sun will ensure there is no repeat of last season’s final day disappointment.
The Dons won only two of their final nine matches as they surrendered second position in the Scottish Premiership to Motherwell on the last day of the 2013-14 campaign.
Craig Reid’s controversial last-minute winner, when goalkeeper Jamie Langfield was fouled, ensured it was the Steelmen who finished runners-up while the Dons had to be content with third place.
The Aberdeen manager believes his players will feel the benefits of their week at the Tenerife Top Training base near Los Cristianos.
The Dons departed on the back of a 4-0 defeat at leaders Celtic on Sunday, but McInnes says there is plenty for his players to play for in the league run-in, starting against Motherwell at Pittodrie a week tomorrow.
He said: “We’ve been having difficulties in Aberdeen with some of the pitches deteriorating in condition.
“Being here means we’ve been able to get our work done in good conditions and we have tried to take full advantage of the opportunity. We’re grateful to the club for allowing us to reap the benefits of coming to Tenerife. Whether we’d won, lost or drawn against Celtic, we always felt it was important for us to come out here to make sure we finish the season as strongly as possible.
“We’ve got a fantastic training complex with the whole environment catered towards good performance.
“This is also a chance for us to refocus our energy on the run-in between now and the end of the season.
“We felt coming out here was the right thing to do and we’re thankful to the club for making it happen.”
Former Hearts and Houston Dynamo midfielder Andrew Driver who is a free agent, is training with the Dons in Tenerife this week, but McInnes is yet to decide whether the 27-year-old will be offered a deal.
McInnes added: “Andrew is doing well, mixing and training fine. We’ll let him work away with us and then we’ll see what happens next week.”
Midfielder Jonny Hayes has been unable to train after sustaining a calf injury against Celtic, but is yet to be ruled out against Motherwell.
On-loan West Bromwich Albion defender Donervorn Daniels is also going through a recovery after suffering a thigh strain against the Hoops.
It’s a chance for us to refocus our energy for the end of season run-in