McInnes calls for increased funding

DEREK MCINNES last night insisted Aberdeen can launch a stronger challenge for the Ladbrokes Premiership next season – if he is given money by the Pittodrie board to bolster his squad during the summer.

Aberdeen once again threatened to end Celtic’s domestic dominance during the 2015/16 campaign – only to finish runners-up in the top flight for the second season running.

But McInnes remains confident, despite the fact Rangers will compete in the Premiership next season, his side can do better in the future if he is handed the funds he needs to improve his pool further. “To sustain a league challenge we need good players to add to the ones we have got,” he said. “There is a lot to like about my team at the moment but everybody will tell me

what I need to bring in. We have a team of value on the pitch and a good togetherness. That can take you a long way as long as you keep adding to the quality. Hopefully, we get the backing and the opportunity to do just that. The directors need to get it. We all need to get it.

“There will be improvement from my team going forward. We need to make sure we are smart with our work in the summer and identify key players to make sure we are ready should we get into a similar situation to this season.

“We hope to be jostling for position and more capable of going the full way. I think we can improve again and be competitive. But, ultimately the team with the biggest resource – it is theirs to lose.” Meanwhile, McInnes hit back at criticism of his side this season and claimed they were given no help from their Premiership rivals in their bid to pip Celtic to the Scottish title.

He said: “I believe we could have mounted a challenge this year. I thought Celtic would be poorer for losing their two centre backs.

“We were right behind the eight ball before a ball was kicked, but we have closed the gap. But we could have been doing with help from others to lay a glove on them.

“I think my team deserve a lot of credit as we are the one team who has taken the responsibility to challenge Celtic and to make it a title race.”