Jonny Hayes: Aberdeen have to start winning games 'by hook or by crook'

Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes says the struggling club have to start winning games “by hook or by crook” if they want to salvage what they can from a disappointing season so far.

The Pittodrie club are five points off of a top-six spot and only four away from a relegation play-off place with six games to go until the split.

Their last Premiership victory was back in January 2 with interim manager Neil Warnock still without a league win in his first five games since replacing Barry Robson last month.

And with St Mirren up next in Paisley on Saturday, Hayes insists they have to find a way to get all three points and make a last ditch attempt to be on the right side of the league when it splits in two in mid-April.

Speaking to the press on Friday the former Republic of Ireland international said: “The run of results haven’t been good enough for a long time now, we know we are in a bit of a sticky spot but we need to look forward and be positive.

“The league table is still tight, I know our form doesn’t fill Aberdeen fans with a lot of great hope at the minute but you’ve try and turn that around. We’ve got to find a way amongst ourselves with the coaching staff and players and one.

“And we just need to go and try and win games. Actually we need to go and win games, not just try. There’s been no lack of effort from the players or the staff but it’s just not been enough for one reason or another so we need to start putting that right from tomorrow onwards.

“This stage of the season is about winning games, yes you’d like to win by playing entertaining football but three points is the most important thing at this stage so we have to win the game by hook or by crook.”

Also speaking on Friday, Dons manager Warnock insists they have to stay positive in their remaining games.

He said: “I think the lads are just lacking a bit of confidence because of the results.

“I think we had far easier chances really, and they do inspire you, you get a goal and it gives everybody a lift really.

“I always felt if we could equalise second-half (against St Johnstone) that we could go on and win it.

“So it was disappointing, but we’ve had a few kicks in the teeth and we’ve just got to get on with it now.

“So we’re going to try and be positive and get on with it.”

Dundee, who are currently in sixth spot, play Kilmarnock at home with Hibs, who are only a point behind, playing second-bottom Ross County at Easter Road.

Eighth place Motherwell travel to Ibrox to take on league leaders Rangers while St Johnstone host bottom club Livingston in Perth.

Tenth placed St Johnstone are joint on points with Aberdeen, who also have a game in hand over Craig Levein’s men, so it could be a big weekend at both ends of the table in terms of who will be in the top-six and who could get dragged into a potential relegation fight.