Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee admitted his side, on current form, could be dragged into a relegation battle. The Dons' winless run extended to eight games with a 1-0 home defeat to Hearts at Pittodrie and McGhee admitted his side will struggle to make the top six if they continue to play in the same manner.

He said: "I think it will take some transformation in our form if we are to make the top six. Nothing I saw today suggests we are going to make the top six.

"We have to batten down the hatches and prepare ourselves to make sure we don't end up in a relegation fight. I don't think we are in that yet but if we were to lose the next two games then I think we could be staring at a situation where we are a lot closer to it than we would hope to be.

"The eight games without a win isn't the concern. The three games we have just lost is the concern. The eight is irrelevant as you can dress that anyway you like.

"We played brilliantly against Hibs and did well to get a point against Celtic and you can bury that in the eight, which I don't think is fair."

And the Dons chief felt his side was unlucky to lose against the Jambos.

He said: "There was a lot of huffing and puffing out there and I don't think any of the players could be accused of not trying.

"We have conspired to lose a game as I don't think Hearts did any better than us but somehow they went on to win.

"I felt for most of the game we were the team that were going to win the game. I always felt it was going to be a one-goal game so I was disappointed when we conceded."