Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has pledged to give his fringe players the chance to impress in the final two games of the season.
The Dons will end their league campaign with a trip to Dens Park to face Paul Hartley’s Dundee on Saturday before a home match against St Johnstone.
McInnes’ Reds, who were beaten 1-0 by Celtic on Sunday, have already secured second spot in the Scottish Premiership, which means another shorter summer break because of Europa League participation.
The draw for the Europa League’s first qualifying round will take place on June 22, with the first leg on July 2.
McInnes is keen to give some of his first-team regulars a well-earned rest following a long campaign.
He said: “We obviously want to win but there will be some boys who will be rested. We have a short close season before we are in action again.
“These boys have been running since June 12 last year and we will start again in a few weeks, ready for the European campaign, so we’ll take the luxury of resting down a few and giving them time.
“Of course we want to win the games, and aim to win them, against Dundee and St Johnstone. But there will be opportunities given to others as that rest is important now.”
McInnes, meanwhile, was frustrated by his side’s inability to take any points from champions Celtic this season.
The Dons have tasted defeat only eight times in 36 matches this term – half of which have been against Ronny Deila’s Hoops.
He said: “Last season we managed to beat Celtic a couple of times but dropped points to other teams. This campaign we’ve been outstanding against the other teams.
“We have a really strong record and we have to be pleased with that. But when things are tight – and there was a period when things were tight – it is the teams in and around you that will decide what happens.
“The two games at Pittodrie, where the level of performance was good enough to win the games, we didn’t. I think you credit Celtic because even when they’re not at their best, they still find ways to win.
“I feel as if I have a bit of Celtic in my team at the minute – that mentality. We have shown that against others, even when we’ve not been at our best. It’s important we keep that with us.
“It’s also important that when there’s a thin line between winning and losing, as has been the case in a couple of games against Celtic, we have to make sure we are the team that comes out on top. It’s not always about performances and talent. There are other factors.”