The game is huge.. but it won’t define our season
TONIGHT, RUGBY PARK, 7.45 McInnes plays down make or break talk as he eyes a sixth semi-final in five years
DEREK McINNES reckons it’s a step too far to describe Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup clash at Kilmarnock tonight as season defining.
But the Dons boss fully understands why some pundits and many of his club’s fans see it that way.
McInnes has often made it clear that, given how hard it is to compete for the Premiership title, cup competitions are where his side can make an impact – which points to a tense quarter-final replay at Rugby Park.
The Ayrshire outfit’s stock has risen dramatically since Steve Clarke came in as boss five months ago. They’ve established themselves as difficult to beat on their own patch while the Reds have faltered in recent weeks, losing to Hibs and Celtic and drawing with Killie in the Cup and Partick Thistle at the weekend.
And, as they sit five points behind second-placed Rangers and are 14 adrift of leaders Celtic in the Premiership, BBC Scotland pundits Steven Thompson and Michael Stewart are among those who believe defeat for Dons would see their season over.
McInnes said: “I understand that. There is still a lot to play for in the league but I would say the perception from having a good season or a very good season is normally demonstrated through the cups.
“This would be our sixth semi-final in five years if we could get through.
“Sometimes we’ve finished second in the league and haven’t reached a cup final and it hasn’t had the same perception as other seasons because the cups offer so much. It can be the difference between us being very successful or not.
“It gives us momentum as a club and we could all be doing with that at the minute, that feelgood factor that comes with winning games.
“If we can get to the semi-final it could help our league form and help us to keep that focus. Whether it can be called season defining, that’s a bit of a stretch although I understand the question.”
McInnes admits Kilmarnock’s home form since Clarke’s arrival has been transformational and, despite Dons’ watertight record there in recent years, reckons it will be tougher tonight.
He said: “It is just about getting the job done. We’re up against a very good team who are in real good form.
“It’s the first Kilmarnock team for as long as I can remember who have been really strong at home.
“I don’t think you can have a successful campaign unless you enjoy playing at home and get home results. They managed to address that and there’s a real feelgood factor about them, a huge improvement from where they’ve been.
“We’ve got a good record there and against Kilmarnock but they seem to have sorted that out. We go there confident and motivated to take the opportunity.
“We set out to win the competition and nothing’s changed. We need to get close to what we’re capable of to get the job done.”
McInnes was pleased Kenny McLean and Scott McKenna, two of his in-form players, had been selected in Alex McLeish’s Scotland squad for friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary.
He pointed to young defender McKenna as an example of how fortunes can turn quickly for dedicated players.
He said: “It shows how quickly it can go for a player, especially a younger player who is out of the team and then you get a run in the team and you just get better and better.
“He has played with a real confidence and it shows how quickly you can get yourself noticed.”
McInnes also praised the influence McLean has had on his team this season.
The 26-year-old has remained on loan at Pittodrie since signing for Norwich in January and his sights are on lifting the Cup in his Dons finale.
He said: “That has always been the aim, my ambition and that of the manager and club. Everyone wants the last game of the season to be the cup final. “For it to be my last game would be special and that’s what we’re all striving for. We have the ambition and the quality to definitely do it this season. “We ran Celtic close last season but we came away with nothing. It was great to get there and a good occasion but we didn’t win so that’s it. “We want to remember the ones we win and that’s why we are determined to get back to Hampden. “Everyone wants to win and we know we have the squad that can do it. If we are underdogs that suits us. Killie have been on an excellent run but we have the players to hurt them.” Meanwhile, McLean revealed he’s decided to put holiday plans on hold as he looks to be part of the Scotland squad’s summer trip to Peru and Mexico. The former St Mirren man revealed he booked a trip to Las Vegas last summer but thought it was set to be cancelled when Gordon Strachan included him in the group of players for the World Cup qualifier against England at Hampden.
But McLean didn’t make the cut and was able to go through with his holiday.
He said: “I haven’t booked anything this time. I’ve been in that position a few times where I book something but international duty becomes the priority.
“Last year I was called into the squad but was cut and was able to go to Vegas after all. That softened the blow but I’ll wait this year.”
McLean featured in the friendly against Holland in November under interim gaffer Malky Mackay and believes he has something to offer at international level.
He said: “This is what I wanted, to get in the squad and stay in it.
“I played in the game at Pittodrie and did myself justice and I’ve been performing pretty well in the last couple of months.
“It’s a big squad and there will be a lot of players but if I can be involved in the games that would be great. It’s up to me to go and impress the manager.
“To be chosen at this stage is excellent but it’s only the beginning of the hard work and it’s up to me to keep performing.
“I’m sure the manager will have his way he wants to play and the players he wants to play it but it’s up to me to force my way into his team.” bet365. Aberdeen were last to beat Clarke’s side six and a half weeks ago but failed to put them away in the original tie at Pittodrie.
That was despite taking a ninth-minute lead with the Dons then poor as they drew 0-0 at Partick Thistle at the weekend.
It was Kris Boyd’s penalty that forced a replay and his strike in Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Staggies made him the Premiership’s top scorer.
Boyd is 19-4 at McBookie to break the deadlock and evens to net at any time.
In the lower leagues I like Raith at Forfar as well as Clyde and Peterhead at home to Elgin and Stenhousemuir respectively.
Manchester United should beat Sevilla in the Champions League after a 0-0 in Spain. The Reds are 13-20 with McBookie and consider Romelu Lukaku to score first at 15-4 after four goals in his last five games.
Super Single Killie draw no bet (5-4, bet365)
Top Treble Raith, Clyde, Peterhead
(53-10, McBookie)