If there is a crisis at Aberdeen, Jonny Hayes has yet to recognise it.

One draw and three defeats in the Premiership, as well as a League Cup loss to Hibs, may have followed eight straight wins, but they have brought into questions the Dons' ability to mount a significant challenge in the race for the title, a questions Hayes hopes will be answered when they face leaders Celtic at Parkhead in today's lunchtime kick-off.

The former Inverness Caledonian Thistle winger, yet to score in 11 league appearances this season, insisted last week's home draw with Motherwell will signal a return to form, while Derek McInnes, the Dons manager, highlighted the threat from Leigh Griffiths, the in-form Hoops striker he tried to sign from Livingston six years ago when he was in charge at St Johnstone.

"Against Inverness and St Johnstone the performance was lacking," Hayes said, "but against Motherwell last week when we drew 1-1, we could have won it or lost it, but we played a bit better.

"Hopefully, that is a sign we are back on track because there is no better place to try and bounce back that at Celtic Park against the champions.

"It will be a tough test and we know we will have to be at our absolute best if we want to win the game.

"We're not concerned about being written off.

"The boys are more bothered about how cold it is or how the weather is when we are training.

"People outside are entitled to their opinions but we only listen to what the manager and Tony Docherty [the assistant manager] have to say.

"We have never really dwelled on the past, regardless of whether it has been a good result or bad result.

"We always prepare for the next game and that is how it is under the manager.

"There's no pressure being behind Celtic in the league table.

"When you are bottom of the league, that is pressure.

"When you need to win to stay up and save jobs that is pressure in my opinion.

"When you are top of the league it is a lot more enjoyable.

"You saw that when we were winning games.

"Every team hits a dip at some stage but we go into a busy spell where we will be looking to pick up as many points as we can.

"As soon as people hear the word crisis they get a bit worried but no, no we are quite relaxed about things in the dressing room.

"We just need to keep looking forward to the next game, regardless of whether we have had a good or bad result.

"The Celtic game is one of the biggest of the campaign and one of the more enjoyable ones as well."

McInnes, meanwhile, expressed his admiration for Griffiths, whose talent he spotted before the striker was snapped-up by Dundee..

"I tried to get Leigh from Livingston," he said, "but Dundee came up with the money.

"And we tried to sign him again from them but couldn't get him.

"Leigh knows I like him and have tried to get him in the past because I have spoken to him.

"But one thing is for certain - I wouldn't get him now.

"He's playing really well, his all-round game is better and he doesn't get frustrated these days.

"He's more patient now and waits for his chances to come along.

"He's always had the ability to score goals but what I think he's added is the knack of creating goals for other people as well.

"He's a good team player these days and is getting stronger.

"Celtic have a lot of good players and some are more key than others.

"Scott Brown is in that bracket but they showed against Hearts they can win without him.

~There's no doubt he makes them stronger, so we'll have to wait until an hour before kick off when the team sheet comes in.

"But no matter what eleven names are on it, they are all good players.

"Hopefully Celtic will think the same when they see our team sheet."