McGhee is already thinking about bolstering his squad for next season

Mark McGhee was left to rue defensive failings after his side lost the lead in the 2-1 defeat by Kilmarnock.

"Two bad mistakes for the two goals changed it," McGhee told BBC Scotland. "We played better in the first half than we did in the second.

"But I didn't think for a minute that we'd lose the game and to have lost it just sums us up this season.

"Of our starting 11, there were potentially seven players who won't be here next season."

Aberdeen took the lead through Mark Kerr in the 26th minute but goals by Liam Kelly and Dons target Kevin Kyle sealed victory for relegation-threatened Killie.

"We looked so comfortable in the first half and maybe should've created a few more chances and got another goal," said McGhee.

It's going to be a long summer ahead of us trying to build the squad Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee

"We've got to go to St Mirren on Saturday and start with the same attitude, play as well as we did from the start and hope we don't concede so late in the game like we did tonight.

"The approach tonight wasn't bad but the defending at the two goals was diabolical; both down the same side.

"However, other aspects were fine and we have to take those to Paisley on Saturday."

McGhee said that, with only 12 players under contract at Pittodrie, he was already planning for next season and looking to bolster his squad with about eight signings.

"That's the sort of number of players we're going to have to bring here," he added.

"We're working hard to do that and I was away last night looking at a player; I'll continue to do that until next season starts and the window closes.

"It's going to be a long summer ahead of us trying to build the squad and we always knew that was going to be the case.

"Our supporters can't complain about the attitude but they can complain about the quality of losing the two goals and losing the game."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version