Peter Leven warns Aberdeen players 'better teams have gone down' as he apologises to Red Army

Angry Peter Leven apologised to the Red Army and warned his players that better teams than this Aberdeen team have gone down.

The interim manager watched as his side crashed 1-0 at Dundee, to leave them just three points away from the relegation play-off. Leven admitted the Dons’ performance wasn’t good enough and warned his players they are now very much in a survival fight. Straight-talking Leven stated: “It’s not got enough. The first half we were really poor. We started well in the second half but the goal killed us.

“We didn’t have enough quality on the ball. We had a poor start and dropped too deep. Curtis Main caused us problems. We didn’t get near anybody and didn’t close down. I understand the fans' anger 100%. They have followed us all over Europe and Scotland and I can only apologise to them. There’s been harsh words a few times this season.

"I’ve just said to them ‘we’re in trouble and you’ve got to find a way.’ There were some honest words in there and it’s just not good enough. We’re running out of games and we need to pick-up points.

“This is Aberdeen Football Club and we’re in a situation where we need to find a way to get out of it. We’ve got to stand up and be counted. It’s nowhere near good enough for Aberdeen Football Club. Better teams have gone down and we have a big game [at Motherwell] on Saturday now.”

Leven has been charged with taking the game with Motherwell to allow the board to find a permanent replacement in the international break. He knows he needs to lift his team. It is now 11 games without a win in the league.

Leven added: “They know what they are doing, they train every day and they have to win football matches. They have to perform at a level I’m happy with and the fans are