Road troubles concern McManus

The Hoops have managed only one win on their travels since the turn of the year, a run which has allowed Rangers to stay in touch at the top of the table.Celtic have been handed three away games in their five post-split fixtures, a run which starts with back-to-back trips to Aberdeen and Ibrox.Skipper McManus said: "We've not been able to put our finger on it, but we have not been able to pick up as many points as we would have liked away from home."To be honest, we've not picked up as many points as we should have done."He added: "People raise their game for games against us and it's up to us to respond by raising the bar even higher."We always give everything in everything we do, no matter what we do."That's why we are at this club. You have a desire to be successful and be the best that you possibly can, for your family, for the supporters, for the manager, for each other, for everybody connected with the club."We know exactly how important this is. There is a league title at stake and it doesn't get any bigger in your career than winning this."From the start of the season, we have given our all and I can guarantee that in this final push we will be giving 100% in everything we do because we want to win as many things as we possibly can as a group."Defender McManus, 26, has been struggling with an ankle injury of late but a two-week break in La Manga has revitalised him for one final push for the SPL title, starting with tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off at Pittodrie.He said: "We have a five-game league to win the title now and we're lucky in that we're a point ahead of our nearest rivals, so we're going into this match full of confidence and ready for it."Aberdeen have done really well this season. They had a few players missing in the recent game at Celtic Park, so it will be a totally different game this Saturday."Aberdeen will be without their first-choice strike partnership this weekend but Jimmy Calderwood believes his side still has enough attacking firepower to defeat Celtic.The Dons are missing the suspended Lee Miller and Darren Mackie, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, for tomorrow's match at Pittodrie.However, Calderwood is confident his side still pose enough of a threat to trouble the league leaders.The Dons boss said: "If somebody is out injured then that just gives somebody else an opportunity."We have got options with Tommy Wright, Chris Maguire and young Michael Paton, who has been doing very well."You always want to have your best players fit but it will give somebody else a chance on Saturday."However, Calderwood is delighted to have one of his most consistent performers this season in Mark Kerr back in the starting XI after a period out through suspension and illness.He said: "It is a massive lift to have Mark back available as he is a very important player for us."

Source: Team_Talk