Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes knows they now have to beat Rangers to secure second

DEREK MCINNES last night admitted Aberdeen must beat Rangers to secure second place.

The Dons drew with Hibs yesterday to leave the three-way battle for the Premiership runner-up spot wide open.

Any one of the Dons, the Gers and the Hibees could come out on top this week.

But McInnes reckons his side can only do it if they claim their first victory of the season against Rangers on Tuesday night.

He said: “When the split fixtures came out, they were always going to be exciting.

“To guarantee second, I thought we’d have to win four games and I don’t think we can do it without winning on Tuesday.

“It’s something we have to do if we have any ambitions of finishing second.”

Aberdeen obviously missed the composure of suspended midfield star Kenny McLean yesterday.

But the Reds gaffer hopes McLean’s return will aid his side against the Gers.

“It’s the old fire and ice adage,” McInnes said.

“We had that industry to get after the opposition, but didn’t have the composure – and that’s what Kenny brings.

“I thought the players deserve huge credits for their efforts.

“It’s very unusual that ourselves, Hibs and Rangers can all finish second, but it’s in our hands.

“Hopefully, with a win on Tuesday, that secures European football, which is the first box to tick.

“With the confidence we have, three clean sheets after the split, hopefully we can add that goal threat and get the job done.”

Should the Dons finish second, it will be their fourth time on the spin.

McInnes has previously insisted that would be a “special” feat.

That they have not already secured their customary position behind Celtic is no shame with Hibs and Rangers in the hunt.

The Gers have a chance to show their quality at Pittodrie on Tuesday, but Hibs showed the battling side of theirs yesterday.

“The teams were fully committed,” said McInnes. “There was a lot of speed in both teams and that took its toll in the last 20 minutes, when the energy went out of the game.

“There’s a tinge of disappointment, but I don’t think we did enough to win it.

“We had the better chances – we hit the bar, had one cleared off the line and Reynolds should hit the target at the end.

“But they’ve missed a penalty. It’s not often we don’t score at home and it’s not often Hibs don’t score.

“It was two teams going for it, but not having enough composure.”