Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes watched his side move five points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic but still refused to countenance the possibility of a title challenge.

The Dons stayed on the tail of Celtic with a 1-0 victory over Dundee United at Pittodrie courtesy of Adam Rooney's 39th-minute tap-in.

With Celtic travelling to Dens Park to play in-form Dundee on Wednesday night, there will remain a glimmer of hope for some Dons fans that they could give Ronny Deila's side something to worry about when they visit Pittodrie on May 10.

Aberdeen secured European football and are now 16 points clear in second spot with third-placed Inverness only having six games left, but McInnes is just focusing on boosting their points tally.

The Dons boss said: "I have said all along, Celtic would need to have a really poor season for anyone to get close to them. That's the reality of it. And they haven't, and I don't expect them all of a sudden to change what they have given.

"Since the back end of October they have shown real consistency. I think their team has improved and for us to be that close to them is testament to our boys.

"Seventy-one points with five games to go is a great return. But I'm not being smart when I say it, Celtic will win the league.

"I have no doubts that will be the case but we are looking forward to just trying to keep winning games between now and then. And the time for reflection on our season is after those five games.

"Hopefully we can look back and feel good about ourselves because the players have been very committed since early days. We have been back since June 12. From the European games until now they have been really committed and that really pleases me."

Aberdeen had little to worry about from United before Rooney netted a rebound following a Barry Robson set-piece, and Scott Brown saved from Mario Bilate soon after in the visitors' only real clear-cut chance.

Brown was untroubled after Robson was sent off in the 72nd minute after catching Charlie Telfer with a flailing arm and McInnes was delighted with his players' commitment to defend their lead.

"We talk about consistency but to be consistent there are loads of things made up in that, there is focus, commitment, concentration and ability, and the players have shown that for the majority of the season," he added.

"We have five games to go and we want to pick up as many points as possible, but it's clear at this stage of the season how determined the players still are to keep winning games and that pleases me no end."

Bilate went off with a hamstring injury seconds after the restart, with manager Jackie McNamara revealing it was a different leg to the problem that has kept the striker out for most of the season.

Paul Paton (knee) and Ryan Dow (groin) were already missing and there was little spark to a team which have now won just once in 12 games.

McNamara said: "It looks like Paton is out for the season, Dow is definitely out for the season, Mario could be. We hope to have (John) Rankin and (Aidan) Connolly back next week.

"But we have players here, we can't go on about it or make excuses. We have some talented players.

"There was not a lot in the match. The first 20 minutes they were much better than us with their movement, but we changed it a little bit and put (John) Souttar in front of the back four. But the goal disappointed me because it was so crucial."