McInnes confident players can cope with festive schedule

Last updated : 24 December 2014 By Stand Free Ed

Derek McInnes

The Dons are up to third in the Scottish Premiership and could move within a point of league leaders Celtic on Saturday.

With potentially gruelling matches against Caley Thistle, St Johnstone and Motherwell over the festive period, McInnes knows he cannot afford any additions to a lengthy injury list.

Veteran Barry Robson, midfield dynamo Willo Flood, captain Russell Anderson, the enthuastic Nicky Low and full-back Clark Robertson are not expected to be fully fit until 2015, leaving parts of the squad threadbare at this crucial point of the season.

▶ Watch highlights of Derek McInnes' press conference

McInnes said: "The squad's stretched a bit at the moment. We've got a very young squad, and very young players on the bench, so every player will be important to us over this period.

"This time last year we won seven of our eight games before we progressed in the semi-final of the League Cup so we know the importance of being strong at this time of the season.

"We've had a lot of good performances of late. The two defeats we've had, in the cup game against Dundee and the Celtic match, have come with us conceding last-minute goals.

"We've had a lack of concentration rather than a lack of performance. The performances in general have been good of late so we're giving ourselves a chance to win games."

Source: Press & Journal Image: AFC YouTube channel