HOLDERS ARE NOW STRONGER, WARNS McINNES

DEREK McINNES believes Aberdeen will have to overcome a Hibernian side stronger than the one which ended a 114year wait for the Scottish Cup when they meet in Saturday’s semi-final. Neil Lennon’s men approach the Hampden showdown emboldened by securing promotion last weekend to end a three-year stay in the Championship. McInnes (right) insists their return to the top flight will be welcomed, but his primary focus is on how to end Easter Road hopes of retaining the trophy won under Alan Stubbs’ management last season. ‘I think we have expected them to win the league for a while,’ said the Aberdeen boss. ‘They have been the best team in their division by a long way. ‘It has just been a matter of time. They will be glad nonetheless to get over the line. It will be good to have them back in the league next season. They have earned that. ‘They are the Cup holders and they have a lot of experience. I have seen a lot of them in the last while. ‘I have seen more of them this season than I did last year, but I think there is a case there that they are an even better side than the one that won the Cup last season. ‘We have got a challenge this weekend, but you don’t get to a semi-final and not expect to have a challenge. ‘It is important they get a proper challenge from us. We are looking forward to the game and we are going into it with confidence. Hopefully, we can drive ourselves into a final.’

Aberdeen have won six of their last seven matches, recovering from a 3-0 home defeat against Rangers to see off St Johnstone last Saturday. That form makes them bookmakers’ favourites to progress to a second major final of the season, having been brushed aside by Celtic in the League Cup last November. McInnes, though, is wary of that tag as he assesses the impact made by Lennon since replacing Stubbs last June.

‘It is difficult to compare,’ added McInnes. ‘Alan Stubbs obviously did a brilliant job with them. ‘It was maybe tougher to get out of the league in Alan’s time but to win a cup was a brilliant achievement. ‘Neil has got the experience of winning things. He has probably brought that mentality to them which is important over a league campaign where you need to go to different venues and get results.’