Russell seemed upbeat when he told RedWeb: "I don't think you can underestimate the importance of Saturday's game with Livingston because given our recent form in the SPL, it's vital that we get back to winning ways if we're to have any chance of keeping up with the likes of Hibernian. Not that things will be easy because this is a tougher fixture than the league table suggests because Livingston have reached that point where they've got to start winning games as soon as possible if they want to stay up.
"They've taken up a lot of column inches in the papers of late about how bad things are there, but we've been there and gone through it in the past, so we know they'll be full of fight this weekend. It will be a real scrap but we've got to be prepared for it, start the game in the right manner and dictate the way things go. It's every bit as important a game for us as it is for them."
Even better news for the Dons support is that midfield lynchpin Scott Severin may return from long-term injury as early as 5th March for Aberdeen's potential top 6 decider against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. David Preece will also be back to full fitness by then, and if we can stay free from too many injury niggles from then on, perhaps a challenge to the Edinburgh clubs for 3rd place in the league is not yet out of the question.