Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, has played down suggestions that the relative success of his side this season was made possible by a having superior budget to their rivals in the SPFL Premiership.

The Pittodrie side are second in the league table and won the League Cup earlier in the campaign. They were also able to strength in January by signing striker Adam Rooney from Oldham Athletic.

However, McInnes believes the core values of his players have a more telling impact than money on their season. "The reason we have won a cup, are in second place and fighting for Europe is down to the honesty and commitment of the players," he said.