Derek McInnes: Title race not over yet

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes knows people are ready to write off their title challenge – but he is confident they can resume their winning run.

Derek McInnes: Confident Dons will resume winning ways. Picture: SNS

And McInnes believes they can do that against champions Celtic tomorrow.

Aberdeen have followed eight consecutive league wins by taking just one point from their last four matches.

That has allowed Celtic to go four points clear at the top of the Premiership and some observers have already declared the title race over.

“I recognise that if we lose the game then that is the case, people would be assuming that,” McInnes said on RedTV ahead of tomorrow’s Parkhead clash.

“At the same time, if we win the game then people will say we have a title race again. One game doesn’t determine that.

“We have had some disappointing results and we are concentrating on that side of it, getting ourselves going again. You can see how quickly things can turn.

“We have shown over the last couple of years that we are more than capable of going on long runs, winning runs and undefeated runs. And we’re still capable of that. That’s what we need to try to do and just look for improvement. I’m confident we can improve on last year, an SPL points record for teams outwith the Old Firm, and time will tell.”

McInnes, whose side arrested a four-game losing streak in all competitions with a draw against Motherwell last weekend, added: “It’s important we get back to winning ways and when you are playing teams in and around you then three points become more crucial.

“We know we will get back to winning ways sometime soon and we want to do it on 
Saturday.”

Meanwhile, McInnes is relaxed about the future of right-back Shay Logan, who is unwilling to commit his future to Pittodrie beyond the summer.

“I spoke to Shay at the back end of last season about this,” McInnes said. “I’m really relaxed about the whole situation.

“Shay’s got a family situation where he has to get to see his kids. But his commitment to Aberdeen has never been in question. He sacrifices so much, as do a lot of the players. This is his job.

“The opportunity for Shay still to be here might still be there but there’s a chance he might not. But we continue regardless.

“Shay’s an important player and a very popular player with the supporters and myself and we would like him to stay in an ideal world. But we are relaxed about it and it will resolve itself in the coming months.”