“Russell is going to be missed massively. His nickname was ‘Mr Aberdeen’ and he encompasses everything about the club. It makes sense for him to step upstairs and for the club to keep that influence. Apart from this season his return to Aberdeen has been a bit of a dream for him. The club has been on an up and he has been an integral part of that.

“I have learned lots off Russell and I am sure most of the other boys would say the same thing. Although this season he has not featured as much as he would have liked on the park, his influence behind the scenes and his influence in the changing room has still been there.

“Aberdeen v Celtic is always a massive game and it is great to still be involved in massive games at this time of the season. We would obviously have preferred for the match to still be meaningful but it was not to be. But both teams will be wanting to go out and win the three points. Both teams will want to set a marker for different reasons.

“Celtic will want to show why they are Champions and they will want to do it in style so we know they will be at their best on Sunday. We have to go out and show that our season is not finished and that we are still wanting to win games.

“We are keen this weekend to show people that we are in this for the long haul. We want to push Celtic again next season. We have to keep grinding out results – that is what Celtic have done and why they are deservedly the Champions. We are looking to keep improving and that starts on Sunday.

“Both teams will want to set a marker for next season.

“I know there will be a great atmosphere and I am sure it will be a good game.”

REDTV | to watch Mark’s media conference in full please click here

REDTV | to watch Mark’s media conference in full please click here