We'll ignore managerial sideshow against Rangers, says Derek McInnes
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes says he will continue to ignore the "sideshow" surrounding the Rangers vacancy despite fresh links to the Ibrox post.
Light Blues chiefs are still targeting the Pittodrie manager to replace Pedro Caixinha.
It has been five weeks since the Portuguese boss was axed and Rangers have yet to make an official approach.
However, chairman Dave King is preparing to make his move and an offer for McInnes could be lodged as soon as Sunday's clash between the teams is out of the way.
McInnes, though, is continuing to focus on the present job at hand.
He said last week that he is happy to stay put in the Granite City and for now is only concentrating on making amends after his side's lifeless display against Rangers in midweek.
"Things get magnified by others but we are the professionals and we get on with the job," he said.
"It's always about the game. We just look at the next opponent. Everything else is a sideshow for everyone else to talk about.
"We've had such a poor record as a club over the last wee while down at Ibrox but we did expect more of ourselves, especially having won down there the last time.
"But we've got a chance immediately to put a smile back on the supporters' faces again and that is the aim."
The Dons got off to a nightmare start when they gifted Rangers an early penalty in Glasgow and went on to lose 3-0 to caretaker boss Graeme Murty's team.
But McInnes has spent the days since trying to lift spirits and ensure his side put up a better fight this weekend.
The Light Blues can overtake the Reds and move up to second spot with victory in part two of this week's double-header.
McInnes said: "We've been second in the league over the last few years because we haven't lost too many times and when we have, we've normally responded pretty quickly.
"For us to be up there again this season, the need to respond is always there.
"Wednesday was a sore one, I didn't enjoy the day after, but it's been important to get everyone in a more positive frame of mind again.
"Now it's another game and we do back ourselves. We do believe we are a good team. We're sitting in the league where we are a good team.
"It's not all doom and gloom. People need to be reminded of that.
"But at the same time we're well aware that when you lose games, criticism comes, so it's about dealing with that and responding to it.
"So I fully expect us to do a lot better, especially in the early parts, to make the game go our way.
"Like all teams, we're searching for the consistency that will allow us to put results back-to-back. But first things first, let's go and get the three points back that we lost the other night.