Derek McInnes believes games coming thick and fast will help Aberdeen after they almost became victims of a William Hill Scottish Cup shock after a 1-1 draw with Stenhousemuir.

Despite the home side taking the lead through the returning loanee Max Lowe after 20 minutes, Mark McGuigan's second-half header earned the Warriors a replay at Ochilview on Tuesday January 29.

That means the Dons will have two games a week for the next three weeks, after a packed December saw them play nine games in the month leading up to the winter break.

McInnes said: "I look forward to the Hamilton game. I think we'll be better for having had the game today in terms of match sharpness, and we'll be better in the replay for having a couple of games before then. We normally get better as we go along in the second part of the season."

McInnes also confirmed reports the Dons have made moves to bring St Johnstone captain Joe Shaughnessy back to the club on a pre-contract agreement.

"We've spoken with Joe's agent," he said. "We've notified Tommy (Wright) about that. We're entitled to do that, and we've made an offer to Joe to bring him back to the club. Hopefully that can be the case but at the moment he has other things to explore and staying at St Johnstone is still an option for him.

"I'm respectful that he's St Johnstone's player, but it's come out that we're interested and that's true. That's all I can say at the minute."