McInnes hammers home a winning mentality

DEREK McINNES is convinced the attitude of his team reflects his Rangers winners of 1999 and not the Dundee United losers of 2005 as he prepares to manage against the might of Celtic in a Hampden final. The Aberdeen boss can recall being absolutely convinced that he would win the Scottish Cup in an Old Firm showpiece 17 years ago, then suffering from the very opposite feeling before representing United against Martin O’Neill’s squad.

Those pre-match prophecies were true as, back from months on loan at Stockport, McInnes helped Dick Advocaat’s side edge their rivals 1-0 thanks to a Rod Wallace goal.

Six years later, McInnes and United had no response to an early Alan Thompson goal.

‘In that (Old Firm) final, if I think back to different finals I played in, there was just an overwhelming belief and confidence that we were winning,’ said McInnes. ‘And we were good enough.

‘And I remember going for Dundee United against Martin’s Celtic at Hampden. We lost 1-0. And I never, ever felt that in the dressing room there was that same confidence.

‘For me, it’s all about backing yourself. If there’s an opportunity

at any point to be positive — whether it’s a pass, positive instruction, play in the final third — I would encourage every one of them to take that option and be positive, to not be restricted, quiet or hampered in any way.

‘Just go and be what you are, play the way that you train and be as confident as you can be.

‘This is where they want to be and I think there is a confidence within the team and certain players that will help us.’

McInnes does not expect that confidence to crack even under the pressure of a penalty shoot-out.

Aberdeen edged out Inverness CT by scoring all four spot-kicks in 2014 and McInnes has left nothing to chance in that department again.

His men on the spot for today were nailed down by each player taking one kick on each day in a training drill on Thursday, Friday and yesterday.

‘You are talking about players, a lot who haven’t taken a penalty in their career, maybe having their most important kick at the end of this game,’ said McInnes. ‘We wouldn’t name them but we would have an idea, as a staff, of our five penalty takers if they’re still on the pitch.’

When asked if Celtic’s loss to Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final might be of advantage to Aberdeen in a mind game today, McInnes said: ‘I’ve no idea. But if you’ve had a bad experience with a penalty shoot-out, it can get in your head.’