Aberdeen 4-1 Hibs: More to come from dominant Dons - Derek McInnes

Aberdeen were too strong for Hibs at Pittodrie

Aberdeen turned in their best display of the season to hammer Hibs 4-1, with manager Derek McInnes saying: "There is more to come from us."

Gary Mackay-Steven netted a hat-trick after Graeme Shinnie's opener in what was a very one-sided contest.

"I thought my players were individually better and, as a team, we showed real tenacity and a real determination to stay on top of Hibs," said McInnes.

"We played some brilliant football and scored some terrific goals."

The Dons had lost their past two home matches but turned on the style to make it three wins on the trot since McInnes decided to reject the chance to join Rangers.

• Match report: Aberdeen 4-1 Hibernian

"We have to be really pleased after beating such a good side very convincingly," he added.

"There was a desire from us to show we're a good team. We've always faced challenges from other teams head-on. We've always been pleased with our work come the end of the season.

"We showed what we're capable of, both in possession and against the ball.

"Our midfield three: Shinnie, [Kenny] McLean and [Ryan] Christie were outstanding. They're up against good players but I thought they really set the tone.

"The back four were really concentrated and we were bright in attack."

Mackay-Steven has scored five Aberdeen goals since his summer move from Celtic and four of them have come against Hibs.

"It was a big performance and Gary should watch a tape of this game time and again because that's what he's capable of," said McInnes.

"I believe in his potential. I believe in him as a player.

"We've always had good wide players here who do the job defensively and I'm trying to get that level of trust.

"But what we've also had is good wide players who score goals. Gary is a natural finisher. I see him in training and he's so calm in his work.

"He should take confidence from that and the challenge is to replicate that form on a regular basis."

'Cowdenbeath would have beaten us comfortably'

Hibs boss Neil Lennon congratulates Aberdeen's hat-trick hero Mackay-Steven

Hibs remain fourth in the Premiership but are now nine points behind Aberdeen and head coach Neil Lennon was perplexed by his side's dismal showing.

"We were so abject, [League Two strugglers] Cowdenbeath would have beaten us comfortably," was his assessment.

"I've seen a lot of things in football but I've not seen a turnaround in all-round performance in a short space of time," he added, having been full of praise for his players after Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Rangers.

"Aberdeen wanted to put out a message that they are the second best team and they've done that," he said. "I have to accept that. We were well beaten.

"They were the hungrier team, the more motivated team; they did everything far better than my team.

"As a manager you take responsibility, but my players need to look at that. They gave up, they lacked character. They lacked physical and emotional strength.

"As soon as the first goal goes in, we capitulated. There was no spark, no inspiration, no individual that tried to get us back into the game.

"I could have made 11 substitutions at half-time. It looked to me like some of them didn't want to be out there and that's not good enough.

"That's a real dampener on what's been a pretty good season so far."