Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes expects exciting end to Premiership season
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes threw the gauntlet down to his side ahead of what he sees as the most exciting set of post-split Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures in years.
The Dons' 4-1 win over St Johnstone on Saturday moved them level on points with Rangers, and they could make second place their own in midweek when they play their game in hand against Motherwell.
Aberdeen then head to Hearts on Saturday in their final game before the top six splits from the bottom half of the table.
McInnes said: “The post-split fixtures are going to be the best there's been in many years.
“There's going to be excitement at both ends of the table. There's some real cracking games with loads on them and that's the way the split was designed.
“There's probably only St Johnstone and one other team with not a lot to play for, but everybody else will be fighting tooth and nail.
“We want to go into those fixtures with any sort of advantage we can, but to do that we have two tough games, the first one against Motherwell. We'll look forward to it.
“I watched their game against Celtic and the first half today against Rangers. That's two tough opponents and they've more than earned their points against them.
“I'm really excited about the remainder of the season. There's so much to look forward to, and if our form is as good as it can be then we'll be right in amongst it through both the cup and the league.”
The defeat at Pittodrie condemns St Johnstone to a bottom-six finish for the first time since they ended up eighth in 2011, during McInnes' last full season as the club's manager.
Current Saints boss Tommy Wright challenged his players to go out and make sure they claim seventh spot.
He said: “The good thing about winning during the week was it took us to 37 points so we have a bit of a cushion.
“We've an opportunity now to go and finish as high up the table as we can, to finish seventh, and that has to be our aim.
“We've had years of top six, years of over-achievement. People say we've probably under-achieved this year, but I know the circumstances we work under and, without being defeatist, if we stay in the league it's been a good season for us."