WE’VE DON IT BEFORE.. WE CAN DO IT AGAIN
Del tells troops to dump Gers just like Betfred semi-final
DEREK McINNES insists Aberdeen can deliver another knockout blow to Rangers and keep their own hopes of silverware alive.
The Dons have already seen off Steven Gerrard’s side in the Betfred Cup semis thanks to a goal from Lewis Ferguson.
Now they go head to head in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup quarterfinal with McInnes desperate to complete a double KO.
The Dons have won just once in their last seven games at home but the Pittodrie boss insists his side are confident of victory because they have already beaten Gers twice this term.
A 1-0 league win at Ibrox followed that Hampden triumph so Aberdeen will have no inferiority complex – despite losing 4-2 to Gerrard’s troops in their last Pittodrie meeting.
McInnes said: “The Cup offers the best chance of silverware. It gives us a chance to bring highlights to our season.
“We have been to one final by beating good teams, Rangers included, along the way. If we want to get to another final we are going to need to beat another good Rangers team.
“They are a good side, the evidence is there. Stevie has put a fantastic squad together with some good players but we have shown we are capable of laying a glove on them.”
The experienced Dons boss accepts the loser of this crunch clash will have their hopes of landing a trophy dashed for another season.
But he said: “Both clubs will see it is a real opportunity. We are one of the few teams who can go and win the Cup.
“It is an opportunity for either side to put one of the key teams out of it. We just want to bring a performance we know we are capable of and one we have shown in the past.
“If we can do that then we know we can deliver a result.”
There was a bad taste left in the mouth for Aberdeen after that 4-2 loss at Pittodrie last month.
The Rangers players milked their celebrations amid claims the Dons had put up photographs from their Betfred Cup win to get in the heads of their rivals.
But that was denied by the club who insisted pictures from key games throughout the season had been up for several months.
McInnes, who turned down the Rangers job in 2017, is well aware how big this Cup clash is but has told his troops to play the game and not the occasion.
He said: “There is a huge rivalry between both sets of clubs and no love lost.
“The game can be difficult to referee. The fans will demand the game is played in a certain way, with plenty of tackles, aggression and huge commitment.
“All that is important but there is also a need for calmness, discipline, organisation and concentration on the job. When we have beaten Rangers we have had brilliant concentration and made very few mistakes.
“We have been really smart as well as being competitive and there will be a balance of all that.”
It is a game the Red Army will be up for. They have been frustrated with the dismal run of home form but McInnes knows they will be right behind his team.
He said: “They will be there. I totally understand their disappointment and frustration.
“Failing to beat St Mirren and Hamilton at home were missed opportunities.
“There is nobody more disappointed and frustrated than us.
“Sunday demands that competitive side my team show at their best and the fans will be right behind us.”