WHEN it comes to talking up their title chances, Aberdeen may be operating a code of omerta even the mafia might envy, but the next few days will speak volumes about the validity of their challenge to Celtic.
Victories away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle tomorrow and Partick Thistle on Friday would move the Pittodrie club to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership before the defending champions are back in action. It is exactly the sort of examination they failed in late December when only drawing at home to the same opponents and they are sure to be even more closely scrutinised for signs of cracking now.
No more so than down Parkhead way, of course, but Aberdeen midfielder Peter Pawlett has warned Celtic not to expect their rivals to wilt away as real pressure is struggling in the bottom six, not pushing for a first league title in 31 years.
He for one is relishing this experience as his introduction to regular top-team football came as a teenager under Mark McGhee when the club were struggling in the lower reaches of the league and on the end of some embarrassing cup defeats.
Current manager Derek McInnes has restored pride at Pittodrie by winning a first trophy in 19 years and securing a highest league finish in two decades with the possibility of even better to come in May.
Pawlett has no doubt which environment is more enjoyable when it comes to players producing their best performances, which is why he is convinced his team can cope with the demands of extending the 12-game unbeaten league run that has turned up the heat on Celtic.
“The pressure is definitely not as bad as when you are down at the bottom as it’s much more enjoyable at the top,” he said.
“If you are down near the bottom of the table you go home after matches thinking ‘oh come on’ but you are much more relaxed in this kind of situation knowing that you are doing well and thinking ‘just keep doing what you’ve been doing’.
“It’s a case of keep working and preparing for matches in exactly the same way that you have been every week. The next two away games are tough so we have to concentrate on those and see where it takes us.
“There are still 39 points to play for and it would be putting down a marker to do well in them, but the entire focus is on Inverness at the moment as that’s the way Derek McInnes works. He instilled a belief in the players right from the start. We all have that confidence to do well when we go out on the pitch and we all believe we can get three points in every game.”
Pawlett certainly did his bit last week when his first league goal in a year helped Aberdeen to a 4-3 win over St Johnstone at Perth and the midfielder was grateful just to get the opportunity to make a contribution.
After all, that was also his first starting appearance in eight games and it is a situation the 25-year-old midfielder has had to get used to this season.
That is a reflection of the strength of squad McInnes has assembled, and getting a regular place in the line-up will become any easier, with fellow midfielders Ryan Jack and Willo Flood now returning from injury.
That’s why Pawlett knows he has to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way, or it is back to the bench. He added: “I was delighted to be back involved and it was a bonus to start the game and score a goal as well. It was a relief to get back on the scoresheet and make that sort of contribution.
“This season has been a bit stop-start for me but I just need to keep my head down and keep working hard to get back. It’s up to me to prove to the manager that he can trust me to put a performance in for him.
“There are still a lot of matches to go and hopefully I will get my chance again after the way I played.”
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