Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack believes his players are ready to make 2017 a year to remember for the Dons support.
After returning from their mid-season training break in Dubai, the Dons are back in action against Stranraer in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie this weekend.
It will be Aberdeen’s first competitive game since ending 2016 in fine style with a 1-0 victory against Hearts thanks to a second-half winner from Jonny Hayes.
The Dons ended the year in impressive form with consecutive victories against Motherwell, Hamilton and the Jambos and Jack is eager for his side to continue to keep the run going.
He said: “After losing against Ross County, the players were determined to win our final three games of 2016 to go into the break on the right note.
“We want to do as well as we can in the league and we have the Scottish Cup to look forward to as well, so this is an exciting time.
“There is a lot to look forward to this year. We want to finish as high up the league table as we can and go on a good run in the Scottish Cup.
“Hopefully, after the way we ended last year we can go on to have a good 2017.”
The Dons will be overwhelming favourites when they kick off their Scottish Cup campaign against managerless Stranraer this weekend but Derek McInnes has warned his players they could pay a heavy price if they underestimate the League 1 side.
Brian Reid left the Stair Park side by mutual consent on Monday night after a 1-0 defeat by Stenhousemuir left the Blues at the foot of Scotland’s third tier.
It will be the fifth time in five years that Stranraer have faced top-flight opposition in the competition, having been knocked out by Celtic, Caley Thistle and Dundee United, on two occasions, in recent seasons.
The part-timers went close to shocking Caley Thistle in January 2014 when they drew 2-2 at Stair Park having been in front before losing 2-0 in the replay at Inverness.
Dons manager McInnes knows his side can’t afford a sluggish start against the lower level opposition.
McInnes said: “I think on paper a home tie against a League 1 team seems simplistic enough but we all know that there will be shocks in the cup.
“We just need to make sure that we are as professional as we can be and can bring a level of performance we are capable of.
“It is all about getting into the next round. We want to do that by beating Stranraer at home. Hopefully, there is a good crowd at the game. We are eager to get back to business.”
