Jonny Hayes reckons Aberdeen have shown their character and quality to move to within touching distance of securing third spot in the Premiership.

Now the Pittodrie veteran knows the Dons can't let those levels slip as they bid to finish with a flourish under the guidance of new boss Barry Robson.

The Reds saw their lengthy unbeaten run come to an end at Ibrox on Sunday as Todd Cantwell's second half strike earned Rangers a narrow victory.

But the defeat for Hearts at home to Celtic ensured there was no damage done for Robson's side in their attempts to be best of the rest this term.

Hibernian are the visitors to Pittodrie this weekend and a return to winning ways would be a significant step towards achieving an ambition that looked a forlorn one during the darkest days of Jim Goodwin's tenure in the dugout.

And Hayes is determined to give the home crowd another performance and result to be proud of after the travelling support were left with nothing to cheer on their trip to Glasgow.

Hayes said: "For me it is probably an expectation of the fans that we have. They want Aberdeen up the top end of the table.

"Regardless of how you get there, you try your best and some seasons it doesn’t work out. This season it has not been a lack of effort, we just didn’t play well enough in that period after the winter break and the response since then to go on a run and pick up a good amount of points shows good character and good leaders in the squad.

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"You have got that resilience to pick yourself up. Now we are fighting at the right end of the table it is about staying there and showing that character and leadership and mentality to stay there.

"For a club like Aberdeen, you are always looking forward. Me myself, I am always trying to get as far forward and as high up the table as possible.

"The fans are brilliant, regardless of our results, even when we went through a sticky patch earlier in the season. The fans have been brilliant over the last number of years.

"The away fans have turned out and sold out games time after time, the home fans, with the introduction of the Red Shed, have been brilliant.

"For a spell they didn’t get the performances that they deserved but the team is playing well and picking up points and it is good to see the fanbase in a happier place."

Aberdeen travelled to Ibrox on the back of a seven-game winning streak and the appointment of Robson as manager on a permanent basis.

It was to prove to be a frustrating afternoon at the office, though, as Cantwell connected perfectly with a James Tavernier corner and rifled a volley into the bottom corner.

Robson was left to rue a handful of missed chances from the visitors but the defeat will not derail his side as attentions now turn to the visit of Hibernian.

Hayes said: "I am sounding like himself but he has had that mantra of one game at a time. Regardless of how we have got on in previous fixtures, it is always a case of coming in on Monday morning and resetting and now it is about resetting and working towards the next game.

"That is the way we have worked over the last number of months and nothing will change.

"[Not losing any ground] is a positive, I suppose, to take but me and, I know the manager, regardless of the opposition we want to win games and do our best to win the game.

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"I know we have probably not done enough to win the game at times but it is a bit disappointing to not come away with a point. I thought we defended excellently and it is a wonder strike from a set-piece that has beaten us."