McInnes looking for a reaction

Derek McInnes has told his Aberdeen players that there must be no cup semi-final hangover at Rugby Park today.

The Dons were sent crashing out of the William Hill Scottish Cup last Saturday with a 3-0 defeat by Motherwell at Hampden Park.

The chastened Granite City men resume their quest for second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership – they are behind Rangers on goal difference – against in-form Killie and McInnes wants a positive reaction.

“What we said last week is left last week and we have to now focus on what is important and what is important and what we can affect is the games ahead, starting tomorrow against Kilmarnock,” he told the club’s official website.

“We cannot go into the game with any hangover. If we want to be at our best we’ve got to be totally focused on the job in hand.

“The fact that we’re still in the fight for second and the fact that we are joint-second in the league at the minute suggests and illustrates that a lot of good work’s been done.

“I also know that this is a very important stage for us and we’ve still got a lot to play for. It’s my job and the players’ job to fight tooth and nail exactly for that.”

McInnes is boosted by the return of skipper Graeme Shinnie, defender Shay Logan and midfielder Kenny McLean, who were all banned last weekend.

The Pittodrie boss said: “I’m getting back three strong characters and I think that helps.

“Players are influenced by good players and there’s no doubting the players we didn’t have last week have been hugely influential in my team over the past few seasons.”

Aberdeen have not lost to Kilmarnock since 2012 and most recently knocked Steve Clarke’s side out of the Wiliam Hill Scottish Cup quarter-finals on a penalty shoot-out.

But McInnes expects a tough game against a team that has climbed off the bottom of the table into fifth place.

“It’s two very good teams will be on show and it will be a hard-fought match,” he said.