'Dons one game away from matching unwanted record'

Aberdeen ended their sequence of defeats with Sunday's draw against Hearts, with the main positive being a first clean sheet since October.

They owe Ross Doohan for that - and the point they earned - after the goalkeeper saved a stoppage-time penalty.

The Dons looked more solid with new centre-half Kristers Tobers settling in with a solid debut alongside Sivert Heltne Nilsen, who was also composed throughout until conceding that late penalty with a clumsy challenge.

However, the winless run goes on with a trip to face Rangers at Ibrox up next in their game in hand. The hosts of this fixture have a home record that matches Celtic's.

It could work both ways. It may be exactly the right game to reignite a season that is threatening to turn into a damp squib.

But, given the Dons haven't won away from home since September and are now one game away from equalling a club record of 12 league games without victory, it is clear that they are big underdogs when they travel to Glasgow.

In their last 107 combined league visits to Celtic Park and Ibrox, the Dons have emerged with maximum points just five times, with three of those coming in Govan.

To threaten Rangers, they will need to improve across the board. One shot on target, too many misplaced passes and a lack of composure in front of goal killed their hopes of picking up a first victory in two months against Hearts.

There is a clear lack of confidence, which is understandable. But there were decent showings from Doohan, Graeme Shinnie and James McGarry in particular.

Hibernian are now the latest team to appear in the rear-view mirror. A gap that could have been 26 points, had the Dons held on for a win at Easter Road in November, is now down to just six.

There is a break from league business at the weekend with a trip to Elgin City in the Scottish Cup on the horizon for Jimmy Thelin. A trip along the A96 to Borough Briggs in the middle of winter appears more trepidatious now than it did when the draw was made.

Another big week begins for the Dons.