Be carefully crafted – not just left to luck

at the right level at the moment. We’ve had a lot of games over the last few years that have helped us get to this stage.

“It’s to do with experiences, dealing with expectation, dealing with scenarios, the bigger the game then the bigger the performance.

“Two seasons ago Aberdeen didn’t get close to Celtic. They beat us four times in the league. It was a question mark left hanging over us.

“Last season was totally different because we planted the seed of doubt early on by beating them 2-1 at Pittodrie in September.

“It’s important when you have the opportunity to do that, to lay a glove on them, that you take it.

“This final is no different.”

McInnes has been there himself in League Cup Finals, winning against Celtic during his time at Rangers but was also on the losing side with Dundee United against Martin O’Neill’s Hoops in the 2005 Scottish Cup Final.

He said: “If I think back to that game with Rangers and the different finals I played in then there was just an overwhelming confidence that we were winning it going in to that one.

“But then I remember the one we lost with Dundee United – and I never felt in that dressing room there was that same kind of belief.

“So for me it is all about really backing yourself in the game.

“If there is any opportunity to be positive, whether it’s a pass or a positive bit of play in the final third, I’d encourage everyone of my players to take it.

“They should not feel restricted or quiet or hampered in any way. Be what you are, play the way you train and be as confident as you can be.”