Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hopes his players can provide Celtic with a stronger title challenge next season – but insists they cannot do it alone.
The Pittodrie club’s title challenge came to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Dundee United and the loss means the Hoops can celebrate a fourth league title win in a row when the sides meet at Pittodrie on Sunday.
McInnes is disappointed his team could not extend the title race but has set his sights on getting even closer to Ronny Deila’s team next season.
To do that, he knows the Dons need help from the rest of the Scottish Premiership.
The Aberdeen manager said: “The challenge is to get closer to Celtic next year. We will roll our sleeves up and give a bit more next season. That’s for every club in the Premiership, not just us.
“We are 10 points better off than we were last season, but even then we always knew Celtic would have to have a poor season.
“The head-to-head games have made a difference because last season we beat them, but dropped points elsewhere.
“This season it has been the other way around. We need to put the two of them together.”
McInnes was disappointed in defeat on Saturday, but sees no reason why the outlook for the next campaign should be anything other than positive.
He said: “We have every reason to feel confident.
“A few players will leave and a few will come in, but not too many changes will be required.
“We have a mental strength, we have a big support following us and there’s a demand to win.
“That brings its own pressure. I watched a game at Pittodrie before I took over and a win was needed to get into the top six.
“Look at us two years on, being cheered off after taking the title race to the fourth last game of the season. Within two years the players have done that and although we’ve lost on Saturday there’s still a lot to be positive about.
“We want to build on that and try to push on.”
Pittodrie will be the venue for a title party for the Hoops on Sunday but McInnes will be aiming to spoil the celebrations.
He said: “We congratulate Celtic, they were always going to win the league if they showed their true potential.
“This weekend will be about Celtic, they’ve won the league and deserve to celebrate it.
“But regardless of circumstances, we’ll be on the pitch to win like all Aberdeen teams are.”