Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie says the Dons feel they have to prove a point by finishing best of the rest.
The Reds are involved in a three-way contest to finish second behind champions-elect Celtic, with Derek McInnes’s side level on points with Rangers and three ahead of Hibernian.
A home match against Hearts on Friday night is next for the Dons and Shinnie is determined to make up for missing out on a cup final this term by finishing second.
He said: “I think you’ve always got a point to prove. There’s so much to play for such as European football and second place.
“We wanted to be looking towards a final as well but that’s gone, so we need to look at the other positives and try to get into Europe.
“We always enjoy that but second would be a massive achievement as well.
“It’s going to be a tough end to the season. It’s quite an exciting one for the three teams involved.
“It’s a good stage of the season and all the teams are playing the sides in and around them. They are big games no matter what.
“It’s important to win as many as you can.”
Shinnie, absent for the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Motherwell at Hampden, returned to the team for Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Kilmarnock.
The former Caley Thistle player has missed four games through suspension this season – and the Dons have suffered defeat in every one of them.
Shinnie said: “They’ve been tough games: Hibs away, Celtic and Motherwell twice, including the semi-final.
“There’s no saying that if I had played it would have been a lot different.
“It has been frustrating having to watch.
“I was suspended last year and they won 7-2 and I was dropped for the next game.
“It has been tough to watch but you’re hoping some other boys will step up but maybe it’s not been that way.”
Shinnie, meanwhile, expects a busy summer at Pittodrie as manager McInnes attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for trophies.
He added: “A lot of players will come and go. It will be a big turnaround but we did it last season.
“I’m sure the manager will already be preparing and looking towards that. It’s an important summer for us.”