Aberdeen attacker Adam Rooney believes the job is done after his side beat Hearts to move nine points clear of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
Rooney’s 20th goal of the season helped the Dons beat Hearts 2-1 at Tynecastle yesterday and their superior goal difference means it would take an almighty collapse for Rangers to catch the Reds in the final three games.
The Dons forward is confident that won’t happen and said: “It’s not mathematically done but I think we are there now. It was a big game after Rangers got two late goals at Partick but we were confident of coming here and getting three points.
“At the start of the season our aim was to improve on last year. We wanted to get closer to Celtic but we haven’t been able to do that because of how good they have been. Since then our aim has been to be best of the rest.
“A lot of people had written us off at the start of the season but we’ve always had belief. We knew we were capable of getting second spot.”
Rooney’s landmark goal made him the first man since Joe Harper from 1976-1979 to reach the 20-goal mark three seasons in a row.
The Dons forward said: “I’m delighted to get to 20. I was on Joe’s table at the club’s player of the year awards dinner on Thursday and he said he fancied me to get it, so it’s nice to get it today and the win after Rangers won their game earlier.
“I see him around the club regularly and he always wishes me the best. He’s a legend at the club, so it’s nice to match what he did, although I’ll have to score a few more to get anywhere near his tally for the club.”
Aberdeen’s focus switches to Friday’s final home game of the campaign against Premiership champions Celtic at Pittodrie.
The Hoops are unbeaten domestically but Rooney believes the game is one his side can approach with confidence.
He said: “Celtic have been excellent all season but we have shown we are capable of giving them a game and we have beaten them a couple of times at Pittodrie in recent years.
“It will be a good atmosphere under the lights on Friday but we’re not focusing on their run – we’re more interested in getting more points.”