DEREK McINNES, the Aberdeen manager, says that his side’s scintillating demolition of Dundee was the perfect way to show that they don’t feel any pressure in the race for second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

 

The Rangers manager, Pedro Caixinha, watched the match from the Main Stand at Dens Park after Lee Hodson had suggested earlier in the day that the Glasgow giants could turn up the heat on Aberdeen ahead of their showdown next Sunday.

 

But what the Portuguese saw was an ice-cool display from McInnes' side that had their manager purring.

 

“It was a hard night for Dundee but from my point of view, I know there was talk about us being under pressure ahead of this game but I didn’t see that,” he said. “I saw a confident team out there.”

 

“We came here hoping to carry on where we left off but we didn’t expect that. We scored seven against Motherwell and to replicate that is great.”

 

What pleased McInnes most was the energy displayed by his players so deep into a gruelling season, with no suggestion at all of his men running out of steam.

 

“To produce a performance like that at this stage in the season is really impressive and says so much about the team and how the players manage their own careers,” he said. “Normally you see a lot of tired teams at this stage of the season but our lads are enjoying themselves and we played as we train. We had options, trust in each other and it was a fantastic performance.

 

“There were moments of brilliant play but we were a wee bit sloppy. We said at half-time the second half didn’t need to be as eventful as the first but the second half played out the same way which is encouraging as well. It’s great to have so many Aberdeen fans here and to send them home happy.”

 

There was no one more surprised than the Aberdeen manager when left-back Andy Considine slid home his third goal of the night to claim the first hat trick of his professional career, but he felt it was a fitting end to a great night for the club – even if he wasn’t completely satisfied.

 

“I never thought I’d see him score a hat trick but he should have scored four as he missed an early chance,” McInnes said. “It was a perfect night for him and us with the fans shouting for a hat trick and him getting it.”