McInnes calls on Dons to embrace cup final week

Boss insists players are both ‘confident and relaxed’

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has urged his side to embrace cup final week as the Dons prepare for their first Scottish Cup final appearance in 17 years.

The Dons face a Celtic team bidding to win the treble in the final at Hampden and a victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side would ensure an unbeaten domestic campaign for the Hoops but McInnes insists there is no lack of confidence within the ranks at Pittodrie.

He said: “We want to really enjoy it. Sometimes we forget to enjoy the week as we’re in the moment.

“I’m busy trying to get players in for next week and the work is constant but I would ask the supporters to really enjoy the build-up and show the support they’ve shown throughout my time here.

“The players are confident and relaxed on the back of some very good recent performances and we go into the cup final on Saturday believing we can win the cup.”

The Dons will go into their final game of the campaign with a full-strength squad following the return of captain Ryan Jack and Peter Pawlett from injury and attacker Jayden Stockley from suspension.

Jack and Pawlett played the second half of Sunday’s 6-0 demolition of Partick Thistle at Firhill and McInnes is pleased he will have a full squad to choose from for the game at Hampden.

He said: “Thistle are usually a tough game. They have built a fantastic team and it’s not the way they would have wanted to finish the season. We took advantage of one or two key positions.

“Their job was done when they got to the top six and we have been there before after securing second we have come off it a bit. It’s different this time, we never had a Scottish Cup Final to channel everything towards.”