McGhee can't bear to watch his erratic team go down to Saints at Perth

Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee is determined to improve the club's fortunes, despite a 1-0 defeat by St Johnstone that most likely ends hopes of a top-six finish.

The Dons are chasing Hearts and the Saints for sixth place before the Scottish Premier League splits.

"It's another bad result in a run of bad results. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised," said a frustrated McGhee.

"I am determined to turn this around but I can only do it within the parameters that I am allowed."

It is now 10 matches since Aberdeen won. Their last victory was a 3-0 triumph at Hearts at the end of January.

The Reds lie eighth in the league table, seven points behind sixth-placed Hearts, who have played a game more.

But after Cillian Sheridan's goal gave St Johnstone the win over Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park, the Perth side look more likely than the Reds to challenge Jim Jefferies' men for the lucrative top-six slot.

"I hoped we would have come here and turned it around, but we haven't," a despondent McGhee told BBC Scotland.

"Either of us could have won it and either of us could have lost it. Over the piece St Johnstone were a little bit better than us and maybe even slightly more determined."

"I know the situation we are in. My determination is to change that."

The Aberdeen manager was bristling after the result but spoke passionately about his desire to sort out the club's erratic form.

"I didn't think we'd have as poor a run as we've had recently when I came here, but I don't think any of us thought we were going to win the SPL," he said.

"I was brought here to bring change, to change the philosophy, to bring in the young players and also to turn around a squad that looks like it is going to break up.

"I've come here with a record of success. I went to Leicester when they were bottom of the Premiership and they were relegated. That is the worst moment in my managerial career.

Regardless of what the fans, pundits or critics say, we are dictated to by the finances Dons manager Mark McGhee

"Otherwise it was some success at every club I have ever been at so I don't think my record or ability can be questioned."

And McGhee highlighted the difficulty of attracting players who could improve his struggling squad at a reasonable price.

He said: "We have players who are going to be leaving. I am working overtime to identify players that we can bring in at a price we can afford. That is a limiting factor.

"Regardless of what the fans, pundits or critics say, we are dictated to by the finances.

"I am looking at players in the Second Division in England that are earning £1,000 more than we are able to pay as a basic wage.

"The fans can rest assured that I am determined to turn this around but I can only do it within the parameters that I am allowed."

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