Aberdeen would need a bigger transfer budget if they were to try and break the 80-point barrier, according to manager Derek McInnes.
For the fourth season in a row, the Dons have hit 70 points and taken second spot in the Premiership but to get closer to Celtic, McInnes knows it would take more money.
Criticism has been levelled at the Dons in the past for not getting closer to the champions, particularly when Ronny Deila was in charge. However, even in his last season in charge, Celtic took 86 points and lost just four games, enough for a 15-point advantage over Aberdeen in second.
This season the gap at the top was nine points, with Brendan Rodgers’ side finishing on 82 points, which was its lowest winning tally since 2013. To close the gap further, McInnes is realistic in what it would take.
He said: “We’ve only lost a few games less than Celtic. I get this all the time – a guy in the petrol station said ‘you missed a chance with Deila at Celtic’. They got 80-odd points and only lost four games. They lost twice to us and once to Motherwell – that normally wins you a title, no matter who is manager. For us to break 80 points, we’d need more money than we’ve got and that’s a fact.
“Three years ago Hearts came back up. There was a lot of noises made – I think we were 19 points clear. Rangers came up last year and we dealt with that, 10 points clear. I’d love £30 or £40million to deliver first. We can’t do that while Celtic are doing their job well. For us to break the 70-point barrier four years in a row – no one has really done that.”
The Dons boss does not expect his task to get any easier, with Steven Gerrard taking over at Rangers and both Edinburgh clubs likely to improve their squads.
McInnes added: “I expect Hibs to improve, for Hearts to go again. You would expect Rangers’ improvement each year if they make good decisions. If they use their funds wisely, they should be 10 or 15 points clear of us and Hibs.”
Meanwhile, reports yesterday indicated the Dons’ move for Hamilton midfielder Lewis Ferguson could go to an SPFL tribunal after the two sides failed to agree compensation. Accies are believed to want £900,000 for Ferguson, who signed a pre-contract with the Dons.