Aberdeen’s title challenge has been dealt another injury blow after midfielder Peter Pawlett was ruled out for up to two months with a broken arm.
The 25-year-old was substituted after 62 minutes of Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Dundee United at Tannadice.
Scans revealed the injury was much worse than first feared and adds to manager Derek McInnes’ problems as leading-scorer Adam Rooney and midfielder Jonny Hayes have been sidelined by thigh and hamstring injuries, although the latter is expected to return for Tuesday night’s trip to Partick Thistle.
Former Scotland under-21 international Pawlett has started three of Aberdeen’s last four matches and scored a free kick in last month’s 4-3 victory at St Johnstone.
Despite the injury problems, McInnes believes Celtic’s sliding season must give his players added belief they can win the Premiership title.
The Dons have closed the gap at the top of the table to four points after defeating Dundee United midweek.
Celtic, hoping for a fifth consecutive title, have stuttered after being held to consecutive draws by Dundee and Hamilton Accies – and the manner of the performances has been greeted with dismay by the Parkhead club’s increasingly-frustrated support already disenchanted with sustained failure to progress in European competitions.
McInnes, whose side can cut the gap to a point by beating Partick at Firhill on Tuesday, reckons Celtic’s recent lapses have given his players added motivation in their title quest.
He said: “We have got 10 games to go and we are really looking forward to the next challenge ahead of us. I think we can run it close. Some of the results Celtic have had lately have given everybody encouragement.
“We feel we have to concentrate on ourselves because nobody gives us anything so we have to work hard for anything we get.
“We will continue to do that, try to win games and see where we go.
“Celtic have had a couple of surprising results recently and that has given us encouragement.”
McInnes believes Celtic, who also have superior goal difference, remain in the driving seat, and said: “With 10 games to go we are in a decent position, but it is still Celtic’s title to lose.
“The way they have been recently, they have not been convincing with their work so we have to keep being convincing with our work by continuing to win games.”
The Dons have offered goalkeeper Danny Rogers a new contract.
The 21-year-old Irishman, who has spent this season on loan at Championship club Falkirk, has kept 11 clean sheets in 27 league matches.