Aberdeen top-six bid left to Craig Brown

Derek McInnes respects the right of Craig Brown and Archie Knox to meet their target of reaching the top six before he begins the task of trying to restore glory to Aberdeen.

McInnes was confirmed as the club’s next manager yesterday but, in a surprise move, Brown and assistant Knox will continue to take charge of games against Hearts and Dundee United before the SPL splits.

McInnes, who will again work with Tony Docherty, his assistant at St Johnstone and Bristol City, told RedTV: “A club the size of Aberdeen, the aspirations at the start of every campaign, bare minimum, is to try get to the top six. That was Craig and Archie’s target before the campaign. They are two very proud men who want to get that job finished.”