
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes today challenged the Dons to continue their climb up the table after smashing into the Premiership top six.
Aberdeen moved level on points with third-placed Rangers and Kilmarnock in fourth with a 1-0 defeat of Hibs.
The in-form Reds are now only five points behind Premiership leaders Hearts.
A first-half goal from Gary Mackay-Steven extended the Dons’ winning streak to four games.
After a slow start to the season Aberdeen sat eighth in the table.
However, following the high of booking a Betfred Cup final slot the Dons have rocketed up.
Mcinnes reckons injuries and suspensions caused the early slump but now with a clean bill of health is ready to chase down the teams above.
The Dons boss said: “Now I have a full squad to choose from hopefully we can knuckle down with the job in hand and try to get ourselves up the table.
“The team has settled down now and we have managed to get a familiarity and level of performance to get results.
“We took a real dunt at the start of the season with injuries and suspensions.
“ More than I have ever had here.
“Consistency of results normally comes with us when we have that familiarity of selection.
“I have been saying for a while and sometimes it can come across as excuses.
“However any manager will tell you that you need that competition with players available to keep people on their toes and to deliver a big performance.
“But every team normally gets that problem (injuries) in a season and hopefully we have had ours now.”
The hard-fought victory over Hibs came in difficult conditions with a gale blowing across Pittodrie.
McInnes praised his side for securing a vital win to go into the international break on a high.
He said: “The importance of winning the game was very clear from my team as we were very competitive throughout.
“The work-rate and industry at the top end of the pitch allowed us to unsettle Hibs and they never got any real rhythm to their game.
“We managed to limit Hibs’ opportunities to have an impact in the game.
“It was difficult for both sets of players and chances were always going to be at a premium.
“Thankfully we capitalised on what was a loose pass and Gary Mackay-Steven produced a bit of quality to separate the teams.
The winning goal came courtesy of Mackay-Steven late in the first half.
It was the perfect way to cap the week for the winger who was one of four Aberdeen players named in the Scotland squad for the UEFA Nations League games.
Skipper Graeme Shinnie, Scott McKenna and Mikey Devlin are also in the squad to face Albania and Israel.
Despite his international call-up McInnes revealed he had to have a talk with Mackay-Steven about his recent dip in performance level.
He responded with a strong shift and the winning goal.
McInnes said: “It was important that Gary deliver a performance because I had not been too happy with his performances in the last couple of games.
“I spoke to him this week about that. He had some good moments in the semi-final and we were hoping for him to really kick on.
“Gary has got to feel that importance of being a really important player for us and being relevant in every game he plays.
“He is capable of big moments in the game and he should be confident going away with Scotland.
“Gary had the confidence to take the shot on.
“When he reaches those levels he is as good a wide player as we have.”