Mark McGhee is determined this miserable first season as Aberdeen boss will not be repeated. Aberdeen cannot finish any higher or lower than ninth following tomorrow's final Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixture at St Mirren Park, their lowest placing for six years.

However, McGhee, who won the European Cup Winners' Cup and league titles in his playing days at Pittodrie, knows he will not be allowed another season like this one.

He said: "There's no denying it, no hiding from it, we have had a torrid time, I have had a torrid time, both in terms of how it has been doing the job and the job I have done.

"I don't take all the responsibility but I have got to take a huge part of it. So I'm going away in the summer to reflect and make sure it gets better."

The former Reading, Leicester, Wolves, Millwall and Motherwell manager added: "Regardless of the fact I have left different clubs in different circumstances, I don't think I have failed at any club.

"I have left after success and I have left after success has tailed off.

"I don't intend to fail here and I have even more reason not to fail here because this club is closer to my heart than any other club I have managed so far.

"I don't want to make one of the most important clubs in my career the biggest failure in my career. I have got work to do but I'm determined to do it.

"If we can improve, then we will be forgiven for this year. If we don't, then we will be down the road."

McGhee admitted he would be "a little bit more accommodating" with his players, such as giving them Sundays off after away games in the west of Scotland to give some a chance to spend time with family.

But his main task will be to rebuild the squad, which is set for major changes with the likes of captain Mark Kerr and Charlie Mulgrew out of contract.

"That's the financial reality and that's all there is to say about it," McGhee said.

"We are restricted, there's a gap in terms of numbers. I can't start the season with 14 players because we'll be embarrassed by Christmas. When we've had injuries this season, we've not had the squad to cope.

"We'll talk to them all before they leave and they will have an understanding of our position."