Derek McInnes believes the standard has been established once more at Aberdeen and has urged his players not to let it dip again.
The Dons put two disappointing draws behind them to beat Caley Thistle at Pittodrie on Wednesday, with the 1-0 win taking Aberdeen 11 points clear of Caley Jags in second place.
McInnes was delighted to see his players regain their drive and sense of urgency, qualities which had been lacking in disappointing draws with Dundee and Partick Thistle, and has called on his players to maintain their level of performance in the remaining seven matches of the Scottish Premiership season, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Kilmarnock.
He said: “We’ve always been really honest in our work here but there has to be a realisation that a level of performance is required at all times whether it is the beginning, middle or end of the season.
“At Aberdeen winning is the most important thing, regardless of performance, and Wednesday was much more like us.
“I anticipated a tight match against a motivated Inverness but we showed our motivation. From the first minute to the last we showed how important getting the three points was to us and we deserved to win the game.
“We were in control but it still took a moment of quality and a great header from Ashton Taylor to separate the teams. We were thoroughly deserving of the three points.
“To go 11 points clear was significant for us and we showed that.
“The performance was in keeping with what I’ve sen from this team this season and the challenge now is for us to maintain it.”
Midfielder Ryan Jack, who missed the midweek match against Inverness due to a bruised foot, will train today and will be in squad for the game at Rugby Park.
McInnes added: “We’ve played in bits and pieces since the Celtic game but I’ve reminded the players this has been another year of progress for this club and if we finish second it would be a great achievement.
“We almost did it last year but we were not convincing at the end and that’s what we are trying to be this time.”