Aberdeen's Tony Docherty aims to get one over Ross County friends

Dons boss Derek McInnes and his number two have personal and professional respect for the Staggies management duo, Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds, the quartet all having been at Dundee United together.

However, Docherty is focusing only on securing three Ladbrokes Premiership points at Pittodrie on Saturday and avenging the 2-0 defeat in Dingwall last month.

"We managed to get to watch County's last game, they got a good win against Motherwell, their first win in four," he told Aberdeen's official website.

"They have done great this season under Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds who are good friends of ours.

"It is a difficult game as we found out when we played them recently in Dingwall so we know what to expect.

"They are well drilled. They have good individuals and they play to their strengths.

"We know we will have to be at our best to pick up maximum points on Saturday.

"It is a good fixture as it is two attacking teams. It should be an exciting encounter."

Third-placed Aberdeen drew 1-1 at Hamilton last week but in their last home match goals from Adam Rooney and Jonny Hayes gave them a 2-0 win over bottom side Dundee United.

Docherty is looking for more of the same against County as he stressed that the Pittodrie side, whose form has shaded after a sizzling start to the season, are actually better off in terms of points than they were at the same stage last season.

"We have worked hard this week and the boys have been fantastic in training," he said.

"We have a confident bunch of players and they are desperate to get back to winning ways.

"Everyone is working hard to make it happen. I thought we were fantastic last time at Pittodrie against Dundee United.

"Hopefully we can have a repeat of that performance.

"I think is worth remembering we are one point better off than we were at this stage last season.

"We think we have improved the squad from last year but you can't stand still.

"We will always look to identify areas where we can strengthen and get better."