Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says it is imperative his side returns to winning ways as soon as possible to ensure they go into this month’s Betfred Cup final brimming with confidence.
The Dons have only two games left before their Hampden showdown with Celtic on November 27.
After successive 1-0 defeats by Hamilton Accies and Celtic, the Dons will look to bounce back on Friday at Firhill when they face an in-form Partick Thistle, beaten only once in seven matches.
McInnes’ side will then travel to Caley Thistle after the international break in what could be another tricky encounter having lost both matches in Inverness last season.
But the Aberdeen manager says his side can’t afford any lingering hangover from Saturday’s defeat in the top of the table tussle against Celtic with so little game time left before their biggest match of the season.
He said: “We are fighting at the minute.
“We have got two games before we go into a cup final and we want to go into that match on good form.
“We want to try to get back to winning ways and we just need to manage our own game at the minute.
“We need to knuckle down and start putting the points on the board again.
“Hopefully we can do that on Friday at Firhill.
“We were disappointed to lose against Celtic but I think the supporters recognised how much the team put into the match.
“I saw how much my players put into that match as well and I was disappointed they got nothing to show for their efforts.
“Hopefully we get the reward we are looking for on Friday night.”
McInnes has also urged his players to use the coming games as an opportunity to prove they deserve to start against Celtic at Hampden when the club bids to win the League Cup for the seventh time in its history.
He added: “It is going to be a brilliant day and we want to go into the cup final on the back of two victories.
“I have reminded the players that this is their opportunity to cement a place in the side.
“We have a strong squad and there are a lot of positions up for grabs.
“The players need to make sure every day, both in training and in matches, that they give themselves the best chance to be involved in the final.
“It will be a fantastic day when it comes around but it will only be the day we want it to be if we win.”
Aberdeen attacking midfielder Niall McGinn has been included in the Northern Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifying double header with Azerbaijan and Croatia. Former Don Josh Magennis is also included.