Seeds of Dons’ win were sown in defeat
DEREK McINNES said the seeds of Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup Final run were sown in their League Cup Final defeat.
Then, in what was one of the most one-sided showpieces seen in recent years, the Dons slumped 3-0 to Celtic at the National Stadium.
“Semis are all about getting t h r o u g h ,” said Mc I n n e s . “Hopefully we can learn from the experiences we’ve had, certainly the last time we were here when it was the most sobering.
“There’s nothing worse when you know you haven’t turned up. After that game, we spoke in the dressing-room that the only way to feel better about this result is immediately getting back to a final.
“And it’s only by re- visiting finals, familiarising yourself with them, that you get used to them.
“It gives you a better chance of winning them and I’m hoping that will help us on May 27, regardless of who we play.”
Aberdeen went into the tie having won just two out of their last 11 at Hampden. McInnes paid tribute to the character of his players in withstanding a severe test.
“Questions were being asked about us. No doubt you were all writing your reports about us having a wobble and we were,” he said.
“It was good to get them in at half- time. I actually thought we started the second half well and had a good control of the game.
“We tried to make some little adjustments, and make the second half uneventful. We wanted to be more of a counter -attacking team.
“The second goal was far too easy for them. It’s a give and go. We were too open and loose.
“But I thought our experience showed at that point. A couple of years ago, we might have lost.
“We’ve been involved in five semi- finals and won three. The two we lost – against St Johnstone at Ibrox and Dundee United here – I thought we were in charge of the game, similar to today. We didn’t get what we deserved on those days.
“Yes, we got a break with the winning goal. If you’re Hibs fan then it’s such a cruel way to lose a semi-final but we’ll take it.
“Our players worked so hard and I want them to be rewarded.”