Aberdeen have a job on their hands to finish second next term, says Derek Mcinnes

Derek McInnes admits the challenge of keeping Aberdeen in second spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership will only get tougher next season.

The Dons finished the campaign on 73 points having claimed the runners-up slot for the fourth year in a row.

While they recorded their first victory at Celtic Park in 26 attempts thanks to Andrew Considine's winner on the final day of the season to pip Rangers to second, McInnes admits toppling the Hoops remains a feat beyond his club's capabilities.

And he expects Aberdeen to face increased pressure from the rest of the chasing pack as they look to cling on to their tag of 'best of the rest'.

He said: “I would love £30million or £40 million and try to deliver first place.

“We can't deliver first at the minute, I don't think if Celtic keep doing their job well - and they are doing their job well.

“But for us to break the 70-point barrier four years in a row, nobody has done that for a long time so that consistency is really pleasing and we can only look after our own.

“I expect Hibs to improve, Hearts to maybe go again and with Rangers you would expect their improvement to be more each year if they make good decisions.

“From the outside, Steven Gerrard looks a good decision. He is an impressive guy and if they get the funds and use their funds wisely then they should be 10-15 points clear of Aberdeen and Hibs.

“The fact that we have done our job well gives us a lot of satisfaction.''

Rangers had to better Aberdeen's result at Celtic Park to claim second spot but while the Dons triumphed 1-0 in Glasgow's East End, they were left disappointed after playing out a thrilling 5-5 draw with Hibernian in Leith.

New Rangers manager Gerrard is expected to perform a clear out when he takes over next month.

But caretaker boss Jimmy Nicholl believes some of his men may have saved their Light Blues careers after fighting back from 3-0 down just 22 minutes into the Easter Road clash.

Nicholl - whose side were denied victory when Hibs striker Jamie Maclaren wrapped up a hat-trick in stoppage time - said: “All in all, all I can say is that it has been an eventful three games.

“They have shown a bit of character, a bit of ability as well, over the season and it depends on who is going to stay and who is not going to stay.

“The new manager will have seen something in some of the players today.'

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