McInnes took the positives from his side's performances although, after a solitary win in four league matches leaves Aberdeen with just five points.
He said: "The improvements are clear with Celtic this season, with their [new] manager, the signings they have made and the confidence he has put into the team and the confidence from the stands.
"So for me, that was a decent reference because I see the improvement in my team, that we can win games like this.
"And that gives me every encouragement going forward.
"We have had a tough start – Celtic, St Johnstone and Hearts (in the first four games) is tough, but I am confident that we have a lot to look forward to as a team."