Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is relieved his side’s ruthless streak has returned in emphatic fashion.
The Dons secured second place in the Scottish Premiership in commanding fashion with a 4-1 win against Motherwell at Pittodrie on Saturday.
McInnes was delighted by his team’s attacking flair against Well but equally pleased with the determination shown by his players.
The Aberdeen manager was critical of his players after the 3-0 defeat at St Johnstone on April 22, claiming the Reds had failed to compete physically with Tommy Wright’s team at both ends of the pitch.
But the qualities lacking at McDiarmid Park were back on show as Aberdeen swept aside the Steelmen.
McInnes said: “Against St Johnstone we lost out in every area of the pitch but we were on top in every area against Motherwell and to score four goals at home and secure second spot made it a good day for us.
“We were really pleased with the performance in our last home game against Hamilton but the Motherwell game was better as we had to make sure we did our defensive work very well.
“The attacking players took the plaudits but defensively we were very sound. Andy Considine, Ash Taylor, Shay Logan and Graeme Shinnie were excellent.”
The win was bittersweet for Aberdeen as Celtic’s 3-1 win against Hearts at Tynecastle in the lunchtime game off meant the Hoops’ coronation as champions is a formality due to their far superior goal difference.
The Dons can close the gap on the champions-elect to six points with victory at Parkhead on Sunday and will do so as runners-up after cementing their status as best of the rest for the second season in a row.
McInnes, however, still wants more from his team and has challenged his players to beat the 75-point tally of last term. The Dons are on 71 points with three games remaining.
The Aberdeen manager added: “We have to keep reminding ourselves we are 11 points clear of third spot which is fantastic.
“All season Hearts have been banging on about catching us and it was not that long ago Tommy Wright was saying similar things at St Johnstone.
“We’ve seen off those threats convincingly but we still have our own target to meet and we want to break the record points tally we set last year.
“If we can do that it the efforts of the players should be recognised.”
