McInnes confident his Aberdeen side can halt the Celtic juggernaut
DEREK McInnes reckons Celtic’s appetite for success has increased since they lost to Rangers at Parkhead before New Year, but he insists his Aberdeen team and others have what it takes to “get the job done”.
The Pittodrie manager felt the heat as his squad failed to deliver a goal in five under-par performances until the 3-1 victory at Hamilton on Tuesday night, but was adamant that he never doubted change would come.
He did recognise, however, that tomorrow’s visit of Celtic to Pittodrie will see his men face an outfit in scintillating form, their best of the season, he believes.
On their last trip to the Granite City, the Hoops dished-out a 4-0 drubbing. That was at the end of October when all the goals came in the first half. And McInnes took it badly.
“I felt as frustrated as I have been that day,” he said. “We were too passive, too nice, too respectful and too timid, if I was being honest. We were spooked by Celtic’s movements.
“They were good and clinical, but I expected us to be better and we have been since then. We have played the Old Firm and had two draws against Rangers.
“We have played against some very good players and been far more competitive.
“We have defended our lines a lot more and defended with a lot more aggression. But that 4-0 defeat was the last game against Celtic at home and it is a reminder of their capabilities if we allow that to happen.”
The confidence gained from the win at Hamilton and in reclaiming third place in the league table, albeit on goal difference ahead of Motherwell, may have come at the right time for Aberdeen. But how to deal with an opposition delivering high-level displays and scoring freely, will occupy McInnes’ mind until tomorrow’s midday kick-off.
“It’s very rare to play Celtic when they haven’t been in good form,” he said. “I can’t remember when they’ve been in bad form, whether that has been Brendan Rodgers’ team or Neil Lennon’s.
“But they are stronger at the minute because there is a hunger about them that was questioned after the last Old Firm game.
“People were saying Rangers looked the hungrier team that day and Celtic have responded, which is down to their manager and the fact that it’s such an important season.
“That hunger has got to be there to keep themselves ahead of a very good Rangers team but Neil’s got the luxury of having so many players at the minute.
“I know he has a couple of injuries but the number of good players who are not even starting means it’s as strong a squad as they have had recently.
“I do think that translates into better performances because noone will want to be coming out of that team.
“Leigh Griffiths coming back in has been good for them.” The Reds are beginning to see the possibility of injured midfielder Craig Bryson returning to the fray. And McInnes believes he and his teammates can hurt anyone.
He said: “I now feel we have a proper midfield.
“That has helped us in reducing the chances opposition teams have. We will certainly be tested.
“Rangers and Celtic’s results in Europe this season show that they are serious forces beating a lot of good teams.
“Domestically, that can make it tough for any team to challenge but I still believe there is a 90 minute performance in us to get the job done.”