Source: Team_Talk
McInnes still wary of dejected Dons
St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes insists he will take no heed of Aberdeen's poor form ahead of their SPL meeting at Pittodrie on Sunday.[LNB] Dons boss Mark McGhee recently claimed his side were not yet clear of the threat of relegation and the midweek defeat against Rangers at Ibrox did little to change his mind.[LNB]Aberdeen, who are eighth in the table, have won just once in their last 15 games and are nine points ahead of bottom side Falkirk with six games remaining.[LNB]However, McInnes, whose side need to win to have a hope of reaching the top six, said: "Mark McGhee said the St Johnstone game was a bigger game for Aberdeen [than Rangers] and I believe that.[LNB]"We will be up against a motivated Aberdeen side and we will be expecting a tough game as always.[LNB]"But we can't look too much at the opposition. It's up to us to be prepared properly for this game.[LNB]"And, regardless of where we finish, we will be looking to finish the season on a high.[LNB]"If we don't finish sixth then we want to be seventh."[LNB]Meanwhile, McGhee admits he is looking to banish all lingering fears of relegation so he can build for next season.[LNB]The Dons saw their top-six hopes vanish last weekend with defeat at Kilmarnock, which was followed by that 3-1 loss against Rangers.[LNB]McGhee's side could go into the split just six points off the bottom in the worst-case scenario.[LNB]But he is looking for his side to see off St Johnstone and allow him to experiment in the remaining five games of the campaign.[LNB]"Because we have got six games to go it doesn't mean there's nothing going on in the background," McGhee said.[LNB]"We're working overtime to bring new players here next season. But at the same time we do have the situation in the league to close out.[LNB]"It's not just about staying in the division, which I think we will do, but also ensuring that young players like Ryan Jack get a run out."[LNB]McGhee expects to have Davide Grassi available despite the Italian picking up his latest facial injury during the defeat at Ibrox.
