Aberdeen midfielder Greg Tansey is targeting a return to first-team duty against Celtic next month after undergoing a hernia operation.
The midfielder played his last game before having the procedure in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Motherwell and manager Derek McInnes hopes the former Caley Thistle player will be back in contention for the game against the champions on October 25.
He said: “Tansey had his operation yesterday. We had that date pencilled in.
“We would obviously have liked him available for this game but, looking at the rehab for it, it’s going to be four weeks, so the quicker we get it done the better.
“We didn’t want to add another week on to it and it impact when the games come thick and fast.
“I thought last week he played his part in the first half but having had that operation and procedure myself I know how he felt at half-time.
“He struggled with his mobility at the start of the second half and we had to get him off.
“But credit to him for playing and hopefully we get him back within four weeks. He’ll miss the St Johnstone game, he’ll miss Hibs so, with the way the games have fallen, he may well be back for Celtic.”
The Dons host third placed St Johnstone tomorrow and McInnes knows exactly what to expect from Tommy Wright’s side.
The Saints have been a model of consistency in recent years and the Dons manager is not surprised to see his former club challenging at the top of the table again.
He said: “We’re well aware of St Johnstone’s threats.
“I think St Johnstone have shown, especially last season, the ability to go and win on the road, not just at Aberdeen, but at various places.
“They had a strong away record last season. I think this year is something similar.
“They lost a League Cup game to Partick at home, which was a real disappointing result, but they’ve responded to losing. They went on and won a few games, got a point at Parkhead and started their league form in familiar fashion to be honest.
“It shows, first of all, the experience of the team, the ability of the team is there and I think they have some good players, and also the motivation of the team.
“On any given day they always give any team a tough game. We’ve had something similar to that.”