Derek McInnes says Aberdeen are up for the battle for second after victory over Motherwell

ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes declared his side were up for the battle for second place after moving above Rangers with a 2-0 win over Motherwell.

Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half at Fir Park, from Kari Arnason and Kenny McLean, ensured the Dons moved three points above the Gers and remained four ahead of Hibernian with six games left.

McInnes said: “We are there or thereabouts where we normally are at this stage of the season. We’ve usually secured Europe and second spot by now but it’s clear to see it’s going to be a real challenge.

“Hibs are doing brilliant under Neil Lennon, Rangers have some very good players and you’d expect them, with what they’ve spent, that they would be the ones who should be at least closest to Celtic.

“But all three teams will be doing all they can to finish second. It’s important for us to get a European spot. We’re proud of the fact we’ve managed to finish second over the past few seasons.

“Some people say it’s easy – if that was the case why’s no-one else done it? Last season everyone said we’d get pushed aside with Rangers coming back up.

“That wasn’t the case and this year we’re fighting tooth and nail to be the next best team if Celtic are going to win it.”

McInnes added: “There was a lot at stake for both teams and I’m glad we found a way to win it. We competed from the outset and nullified the threat of their two centre-forwards.”

Meanwhile, McInnes said he was fed up with speculation linking him with the vacant West Brom manager’s job following Alan Pardew’s exit.

The former Baggies captain, who has turned down offers from Sunderland and Rangers over the past 12 months, said: “Listen, I’ve had enough of this over my time here about being linked and I think it’s an easy link to make and assume.

“It is only a rumour and I’m not wanting to spend the next six or seven weeks of the season talking about speculation. My job’s here at Aberdeen and we’ve got a lot to look forward to this season.”

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson was disappointed with the nature of the goals his side conceded.

Arnason rose above Cedric Kipre to head home McLean’s 65th-minute corner before the midfielder curled home after exchanging passes with Greg Stewart following a throw-in.

Robinson said: “It was a poor first half, it was scrappy and the conditions didn’t help because the pitch was hard to play on. They were better than us without really hurting us.

“We started the second half really well and had a good 15-minute period. We said at half-time a set-play would win this game and in fact two set-plays won the game because we lose our man from a corner and from a throw-in and they score.

“That is why Aberdeen are second in the league. When it is scrappy they can come out and win games. After going 1-0 up, they were physical and controlled the game.”