Derek McInnes claims Hearts and Hibs fans are envious of Aberdeen

The under pressure Dons boss believes his club should be compared to the Edinburgh duo

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes reckons there is a tinge of jealousy from fans of Hearts and Hibs with regards to the Dons' league position.

McInnes has come under pressure from his own fans in recent weeks with calls for him to leave the club growing louder.

The Aberdeen support have grown frustrated at the standard of the football played by the team. The Dons have scored just one goal in six games since the winter break - a Sam Cosgrove penalty against third tier Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup.

Derek McInnes believes Hearts and Hibs wish they could be in Aberdeen's position. Picture: SNS

There were shouts for McInnes to leave at the end of the club's goalless draw with St Mirren last month, and once again there were "get to f***" chants following another 0-0, this time on Saturday against Kilmarnock.

Despite their low ebb, Aberdeen, who are understood to have the third biggest budget in the league, go into tonight's match with Hamilton Accies knowing three points will see them move to third in the Ladbrokes Premiership, albeit having played a game more than Motherwell.

McInnes is of the belief that the club should be compared to Hearts and Hibs, who trail the Pittodrie side by 20 and eight points respectively.

In the five full seasons he has been in charge of Aberdeen, he has yet to finish below either Edinburgh side.

He said: “I believe we should be judged similar to Hibs and Hearts and they would love to be in our position at the minute in terms of points, having a chance to go back up to third in the table. ​​

“I think third would be good for a lot of Hearts and Hibs fans at the minute. Finishing third for us might still not be seen as good enough from some of ours but that’s just down to previous years. ​

“We have always been a good wee bit ahead of these clubs over the last wee while because of how we have worked as a club. Not just how I work, or my players work. As a club, we have worked hard to do things properly.​"