Aberdeen’s season may be destined for disappointment but attacker Michael Paton believes there is still plenty to play for.
The Dons hopes of a top-six finish in the SPL were all but dashed at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday after a 1-0 defeat by St Johnstone.
With five games to the split and sixth-placed Hearts seven points ahead, Dons manager Mark McGhee has conceded that a bottom-half finish – for the first time since 2004 – is almost certain.
McGhee is planning an overhaul at the end of the season and the majority of the players have their Pittodrie futures at stake.
The Aberdeen attack is an area the manager wants to address. On-loan forward Steven MacLean is due to return to Plymouth and is unlikely to be kept on a permanent deal – but Chris Maguire will return after his loan spell at Kilmarnock.
Another forward will be signed after McGhee missed out on attempts in January to sign Killie’s Kevin Kyle, Hibernian’s Colin Nish, Swansea’s Stephen Dobbie and Bristol City’s David Clarkson.
Paton, who is under contract at Pittodrie until 2013, has been one of the few bright sparks in a dark season – but he is also aware that he has to stake his claim for a place in McGhee’s long-term plans.
The 20-year-old said: “It is going to be hard to finish in the top six now, but we have to keep trying. We have to go out and try to win every game.
“The season is not over. It has been disappointing the way it has gone but there is still plenty to play for.
“The manager has said he wants to bring in players for next season, so you have to try to impress him to be part of those plans. I recently signed a new contract, so I have got to do my best and, hopefully, stay in the team whatever happens next year.”
Paton’s immediate aim is to help halt the Aberdeen slide – starting against Dundee United at Pittodrie on Saturday.
The Dons have gone eight SPL matches without victory and exited the Scottish Cup to Raith Rovers during a miserable last six weeks. Aberdeen midfielder Gary McDonald is set to miss the Arabs’ visit with a hamstring strain, the extent of which will be discovered today.
Defender Jim Paterson is also a doubt after picking up a knock at McDiarmid Park.
Aberdeen’s SPL match against Rangers at Ibrox has been rearranged for Wednesday, April 7 (7.45pm).