Aberdeen are still capable of prising the Premiership title away from Celtic this season - because Ronny Deila's side is lacking star quality.

That was the prediction from Dons great Neale Cooper today ahead of the Pittodrie club's massive showdown with Partick Thistle.

Derek McInnes's side suffered a huge setback in their bid to be crowned champions of Scotland when they lost 3-1 to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Highlands on Monday.

They are now three points behind the Hoops - but their Glasgow rivals have played a game less than them.

However, Cooper, a hero of the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup triumph, is confident Aberdeen can recover from the setback and prevail.

The former Rangers man has taken a close interest into the ins and outs of the 2015/16 campaign and has been unimpressed with what he has seen of Celtic.

He said: "Before they lost earlier this week, Aberdeen had gone 12 games unbeaten in the league and Willie Collum made a few funny decisions in Inverness.

"I still think they're capable. I don't think Celtic are the same team they have been in past seasons. They have lost that real quality player they used to have.

"They don't have the Henrik Larsson or the Paolo Di Canio-type player that they used to have. I like Scott Brown. He has done a great job for them, but they are definitely missing something.

"Aberdeen are three points behind now, but it's still tight and that is what they want. Hopefully Aberdeen can bounce back from the Inverness result with a win over Partick Thistle and put the pressure back on Celtic.

"Aberdeen have got to keep winning. Who knows what will happen. I feel they're strong enough to do it. They have a strong squad of players. Derek McInnes has done a fantastic job."

McInnes added: "I think the loss to Inverness will fire them up. The manager has got to watch what he says about a referee after a game, but they will feel very hard done by.

"It's just a blip. I'm sure Partick Thistle will be quaking about facing an Aberdeen team trying to bounce back. If they keep winning games it will be interesting."