Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine says the Dons are ready to bounce back from their Europa League disappointment by pushing Celtic all the way in the Scottish Premiership this season.
The Reds return to action at Pittodrie tomorrow when Kilmarnock make the journey north following their 4-0 mauling by Dundee on the opening weekend of the new campaign.
Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Kairat Almaty ended Aberdeen’s participation in this year’s Europa League, bowing out of the competition 3-2 on aggregate to the Kazakhstan side.
Considine says the Dons will now turn their attention to domestic matters and closing the gap on title favourites Celtic.
Ronny Deila’s side finished the 2014-15 season 17 points ahead of runners-up Aberdeen but Considine feels the Dons are better equipped to challenge the Hoops this time around.
He said: “When we were pushing them last year around Christmas time they went and splashed a bit of cash.
“They took Dundee United’s two best players because they knew we were on their tails. They have that luxury, which I suppose we don’t really have.
“I feel the team spirit is even stronger this year and the squad is a lot stronger. We can push them further this year.
“We need to show that week in, week out. There were games last year when we stumbled towards the end, so we need to show some real resilience this year.”
Considine, meanwhile, felt the Dons should have progressed against to the Europa League play-off stages against Kairat. But the 28-year-old says the Dons can be pleased with their Europa League campiagn, which included victories against FK Shkendija and HNK Rijeka.
He said: “I thought we were on top for the whole game against Kairat. That was clear to see and I felt we should have gone through the tie.
“It is a really sore one to take as the boys were fantastic. We were first to every ball and every second ball, which was great to watch.
“We had a couple of good chances but we just weren’t as clinical as we have been in previous rounds. But I think the boys can hold their heads high as they were superb.
“I felt if the game had gone on another two minutes we would have nicked something. Towards the end of the game, they looked pretty desperate to say the least.
“Over the two legs it was a tough one to take and perhaps we showed them too much respect over there. But the boys can hold their heads high as it was a good performance.”