Mats: Aberdeen are ready for a month of finals

MATS KNOESTER knows this weekend's European shootout with Hibs is vital for Aberdeen's hopes of finishing in third place.

- By Scott Burns

The Dons find themselves three points behind David Gray's on-form team and are aware they can't allow their rivals to get any further ahead going into the final five games of the Premiership campaign.

Aberdeen have already booked their place in the Scottish Cup final and know that a Hampden win or finishing behind the big Glasgow two would guarantee European group stage football next season.

Knoester acknowledged: "Yes, we've got massive games coming up. I think that [Hibs' game] can be vital in the end.

"I think every game now [will be] because we're in the split, so it's all tied.

"We play against each other, so basically, every game is going to be like a cup game now."

The defender has made an impact since he came in during the January window from Ferencvaros and has helped get the Dons back on track.