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Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes rallies the Reds for a cut-throat league conclusion

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the Dons can cope if Motherwell employ a physical approach.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the Dons can cope if Motherwell employ a physical approach.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes expects the race to finish second to go right to the final day of the season.

The Dons, who host Hearts at Pittodrie on Friday night, are level on points with second-placed Rangers, with Neil Lennon’s Hibernian three points adrift.

McInnes’s players face Hibernian a week on Saturday before ending the campaign with an Old Firm double-header with the visit of Rangers on Tuesday May 8 followed by a trip to Celtic on Sunday May 13.

The Aberdeen manager said: “There are going to be competitive games between now and the end of the season. It is clear that there are three teams with ability to finish second and it is all in our own hands.

“I think it will go the full way and it is important we concentrate on ourselves and don’t get too caught up in what others are doing.

“I think everyone in the top half has something to play for apart from Hearts, although they will still be tough opponents for everyone.

“We just need to relish the challenge and recognise what is ahead of us and be good enough to get the results we need.”

McInnes’s players have failed to take a point off Celtic and Rangers this season but the Aberdeen manager believes the Dons have performed reasonably well against their other top-six opponents.

The Dons were beaten 2-0 in their last meeting against Hearts this month with Steven Naismith and Manuel Milinkovic on target for the Jambos.

He said: “Hearts have only beaten us once and Kilmarnock have failed to beat us.

“We have not performed well in the Old Firm matches but the results against Hearts, Hibs and Kilmarnock have been much of the same.

“We have all cut each other’s throats at times.

“While Celtic haven’t hit the heights of their points tally from last season I think the fact we are all of a similar standard has helped Celtic as well.

“We feel in the five remaining games, for us to achieve what we want to achieve and finish second, we are going to have to win some key games against good teams.

“Draws may not be enough. It is important we set about that challenge.”

Andrew Dallas will referee Friday’s match between the Dons and Hearts.