MAKE no bones about it. Aberdeen expects.

When Sir Alex Ferguson has given his seal of approval to the work being carried out at his former club by the current manager, Derek McInnes, it is only going to add to the growing sense of belief within the ranks of the Red Army that their team may just be able to take Celtic all the way in the Ladbrokes Premiership this season.

Ferguson, the last man to lead the Dons to a title 30 years ago, spoke to a packed house at Aberdeen Music Hall on Friday night as part of his nationwide book tour and praised McInnes for bringing "belief and conviction" back to the club.

"I watched Aberdeen against Celtic recently and they were the better team," he said.

Craig Brown, another former manager and now a non-executive director at Pittodrie, knows the effect those words will have. He feels an electricity on the streets of the Granite City, an anticipation of greater successes to come, and is confident McInnes and his players will be able to handle the ever-increasing pressure on their shoulders.

Today's visit of St Johnstone is an excellent test. Having lost to Hibernian in the League Cup and slipped up away to Inverness on their last league outing, bringing to an end an excellent eight-match winning run, there is a real need to put a marker down against a Perth side showing signs of their true capabilities in achieving fine victories over Rangers on cup business and Dundee United at McDiarmid Park.

"There is a confidence about the place and in the city, but it is justified," said Brown. "I have such great respect for Celtic and everything Ronny Deila is doing there, but I don't think Aberdeen will have a better chance.

"Celtic have a difficult schedule as a result of being involved in Europe and, although I have to be careful with what I say as a director, I think Aberdeen are stronger this season.

"The results are there to see and it is clear that Derek and Tony Docherty are doing a really wonderful job.

"Handling the big expectations that exist is the question, but the lads have heads of the right size. Graeme Shinnie and Kenny McLean came in and they are level-headed and humble lads.

"Nothing has been laid on a plate for them in their careers and their attitude is very good. Others like Andrew Considine and Ryan Jack are becoming real, seasoned professionals with a conscientious approach as well."

Jack has certainly blossomed under McInnes' guidance and is growing into his role as captain. He is aware of the importance of getting things back on an even keel this weekend.

"With the international break kicking in after this game, it's important that we sign off with a positive performance and result," he said.

"It's nice to be coming back to Pittodrie after three games on the road and I hope we will have a big crowd to help drive us on to the right result."

If Aberdeen are a team still strong on self-belief despite recent setbacks, St Johnstone are most certainly getting there. They have their own intentions this afternoon.

"Aberdeen will have a big backing and want to get back to winning ways, but we are coming off the back of two really good wins, so it is a game we are looking forward to," said their midfielder Liam Craig.

"If we are going to get anything from this game, we know we will have to produce a performance like the last two."