Derek McInnes wants no let-up from Aberdeen after they edge clear of Rangers with seven goal Motherwell rout

An Adam Rooney hat-trick and goals from Andrew Considine, Ryan Christie, Jonny Hayes and Peter Pawlett edged McInnes's side ahead of their nearest rivals.

But the former Rangers player, who is among the bookmaker's favourites to take over from Mark Warburton at Ibrox, doesn't want his charges to get complacent as they bid to finish runners-up in the top flight for the third season running.

“I said to the players it’s important we get right to the finishing line," said McInnes.

"The winter break has helped us. In the last few years, being involved in the early rounds in Europe, the players have hardly had a break. The winter break has been very important for us this season.

"I think the fact we have had very few injuries has been fortunate. We have got a good squad, they are all eager to play their part.

"Ryan Christie has been waiting to come on and show what he’s got. He’s scored a couple of goals now. We have people making an impact from the bench now.

"It gives me confidence that we can finish the strongly. It is how you finish a season that defines a team and determines whether it has been a good year or not.

"We have put ourselves in a good position now, but we must and keep striving for improvement and keep striving for the same results.

"Hopefully, we can go right through the finishing line pleased with our work this year, including in the Scottish Cup.”

McInnes added: “I’m absolutely delighted with that level of performance tonight, You can win games and be satisfied with winning the game and be really pleased with certain players within the team playing well, but individually tonight it was such a high level of performance.

"Behind every team there is always strong individual performances, but I thought it was really strong team performance. Every department got on top of their direct opponent.

“I think we saw the Goal of the Season tonight with Ryan Christie. I have seen it again and it is top drawer, with the outside of his boot, so nonchalant, right into the stanchion.

"I think that to produce such a level of performance and score so many goals and threaten to score more was way above what we expected tonight.

"We did that performance tonight without Graeme Shinnie who has arguably been my best player this season. Three points was the most important thing, but to do it like that was pleasing. The only negative for me was the two goals we lost from set pieces. But I’m not going to dwell on that.”

Meanwhile, McInnes has tipped Kenny McLean and Ryan Jack to earn Scotland call-ups for the double header with Canada and Slovenia next month from watching manager Gordon Strachan on the back of their displays against Motherwell.

"I know Gordon was here tonight," he said. "I don’t often say this, because I respect Gordon and his job as international manager. Everyone is telling him to pick this and that player, but Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean are international players. To me, they are going to have good Scotland careers.

"I thought both of them did themselves no harm in front of Gordon tonight. McLean’s range of passing, his energy, was outstanding. Jack is getting better and better."

McInnes also believes that Rooney, who took his personal tally for the season to 15 with his three goals, to force his way into the Republic of Ireland set-up if he maintains his current form.

“We thought long and hard about maybe changing it at the top end of the pitch tonight because Jayden (Stockley) and Myles (Storey) have been champing at the bit, but Adam has got a brilliant record against Motherwell," he said.

"He reminded me he had scored something like nine in eight games prior to tonight. He is worth persevering with and that is why he stayed in the team.

"Potentially, he could be in line for another cap. I don’t know what the Republic situation is, but Jonny (Hayes) has been involved with the national team and Adam has been in the squad. If he continues to score goals you never know.”