Aberdeen: Andrew Considine focused on St Mirren match

Andrew Considine netted the opening goal as Aberdeen beat Hamilton 3-0 on Sunday in the Premiership

Andrew Considine insists Aberdeen will not let their focus slip ahead of the potentially crucial upcoming meeting with Celtic.

The Dons are three points adrift of the Premiership leaders, who they face at Celtic Park on 1 March.

But Considine's full focus is on Saturday's date with St Mirren.

"It's going to be a huge end to the season but we have St Mirren next and we will look at that and take each game as it comes," he told the club website.

Derek McInnes' Dons cut the gap on Celtic with a 3-0 win at Hamilton on Sunday, a game in which Considine netted the opener.

The Pittodrie men have taken 32 points from a possible 36 since last losing in the league against Celtic, leaving Aberdeen well-placed in the title race.

A home win over St Mirren will see them move level with Celtic, who do not play until Sunday due to their Europa League meeting with Inter Milan on Thursday.

Virgil van Dijk scored the winner when Celtic beat Aberdeen 2-1 in November at Pittodrie

But Considine does not expect Celtic to feel any title race nerves.

"Celtic are used to pressure, let's be honest, they have a big game on Thursday night," the 27-year-old added.

"Our heads are on next weekend. When the Celtic game comes around we'll sort ourselves out for that."

In-form Dons have scored seven goals without reply in their last two league games and Considine admits the competition for places is keeping every player in the camp sharp.

"It's essential you have that in a squad," he said. "It's great to have a starting 11 every week that doesn't change that much but with the squad we have got, you can't afford to mess up.

"You see the boys who came off the bench and they have some ability, experience and class. It keeps you on your toes but that's what you want.

"Everybody trains as they play and I think that's essential. If you are lazy and lackadaisical in training it shows on Saturday. Everybody puts in 110% and that's all the manager asks for."