Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is determined to end 2017 on a positive note with two victories at Pittodrie.
The Dons face home matches against Partick Thistle today and Hearts on Saturday ahead of the winter shutdown.
It has been a rollercoaster year for the Dons over the past 12 months which has included a Scottish Cup final defeat by Celtic, a third successive runners-up finish in the top flight and approaches for McInnes by Sunderland and Rangers.
There will be plenty of time for reflection during the winter break but McInnes says his side’s full focus is on bouncing back from their 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park with a win against Partick this evening.
The Aberdeen manager said: “Hopefully we can finish 2017 off positively.
“I’m pleased with what the players have given me during this calendar year.
“If we can win these two home games I think we would be quite pleased with our work.
“Then we can rest, do what we need to do in January and look forward to the second part of the campaign.
“We have to make sure there is no hangover from the Celtic match.
“You can’t allow being beaten by Celtic to run into the next one.
“I have been really pleased with our recent form.
“We were disappointed with the defeat but we aren’t going to beat ourselves up over it.
“We are focused on Partick Thistle at home.”
McInnes hopes his side can improve their recent record against Celtic in the new year, having lost all eight matches against the Hoops since Brendan Rodgers replaced Ronny Deila.
He added: “Some games have been closer than others and Saturday was closer to a point.
“Without making too many excuses, the vast difference in resources always makes them ahead of us.
“Arguably my best player this season, Ryan Christie, is one of their players.
“He probably took my best player from last season, Jonny Hayes, who has been playing a cameo role recently.
“There is a huge gulf in what they can do compared to what we can do.
“I still feel there is a result in us and I will keep believing that.”