Boss hopes Dons have honed their punch
DEREK McINNES urged Aberdeen to hit St Mirren with a Scottish Cup knockout blow tomorrow.
The Dons boss wants to see a vast improvement from their 0-0 draw in Paisley last month when he claimed his side were punchless.
And he knows how important it will be for Aberdeen to leave the Buddies on the canvas and reach a Hampden semi-final.
He said: “When we went to St Mirren the last time we were timid in our attacking play.
“We controlled the game but we were like a boxer without a punch.
“We didn’t take enough shots or make the most of the possession we had.
“But I think over the last five or six games we have looked far better attacking-wise so we’re in a better place now.
“We want to get back to Hampden. Our under-age teams and the reserves have got to cup finals so we want to make it three for the club this season.
“How you do in the Cup can sometimes define your season and if we can get a strong run, get through this one, it would swell the numbers.
“The enthusiasm gets more and more and the excitement levels go up.
“Our fans have sold out their allocation in Paisley and hopefully we can give by scoTT BURns them something to shout about.”
McInnes believes his side showed their desire for Cup glory as two late extratime goals saw off battling Kilmarnock in the last round.
He added: “We have been a good cup team and we want to continue that because we have got to the latter stages a lot.
“The players showed how much they want it and how much it means to them down at Kilmarnock.
“That shone through in the performance and we want something similar this time around.”
But the Dons gaffer, who will welcome back Craig Bryson and Funso Ojo for the trip to Paisley, knows his side won’t have it easy against a rejuvenated Saints side who he watched beat Motherwell in the league on Tuesday.
He said: “I saw St Mirren the other night, they hung in when Motherwell were the better team and they got their reward for it.
“They were good in the second half.
“I see similarities with Kilmarnock in they are well organised but carry a threat up front with Jon Obika.”