DONS winger and Copenhagen Hero Jamie Smith is desperate to help the club get back into Europe - despite his contract being up next summer.
But the silky playmaker insists he needs to prove that he is indispensable to the club before worrying about a new deal.
Smith is free to talk to other clubs in January and has struggled with injuries since he joined the club from Den Haag three years ago.
This season he started with some poor performances, notably during the 2-0 first-ever defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle on the opening day.
Boss Jimmy Calderwood challenged Smith to step up to the plate following his recent injury lay-off, ans the player is eager to show he merits a place in the team.
Smith told the Daily Record: "The manager is entitled to say whatever he wants because he spoke to me about it first.
"He is always demanding more from me and that's great. I like to be pushed and no one knows more than me that I'm capable of doing a lot more than I have so far this season.
"I sit at home getting cut up about it because I want to do a lot more than I have so far for Aberdeen.
"We have a good squad and I want to do my bit. It has nothing to do with me being out of contract in the summer.
"I want the team to succeed and be involved in exciting things like last season's European run.
"If I can help the club achieve that then it will leave the club with a difficult decision over what to do about my contract. But I'm more concerned about proving my worth at this stage."