I’ll forget my tragedy to get us to Wembley
MIDDLESBROUGH v ASTON VILLA
DEREK McINNES insists Aberdeen won’t rely on any other side to seal second place in the Premiership because he’s backing his side to end their Parkhead hoodoo.
The Dons boss reckons the trip to face Celtic tomorrow in their season finale is be the perfect occasion to break a 14-year wait for a league victory in Glasgow’s East End.
That’s how long it has been since the Reds took three points from the Hoops there – with 25 straight defeats.
But McInnes’ side, who have already sealed a place in the Europa League qualifiers, have lost just one goal since the split. And he believes that form plus the will to win will see them clinch runners-up spot without the need for Hibs to beat Rangers at Easter Road.
He said: “I’m only thinking about winning our game. Myself and the players can’t be at Celtic Park thinking ‘I hope Hibs win.’
“I’ve always felt that if you are too dependent on other people then you don’t get what you set out to do.
“There are two mindsets – you either go out and do it for yourself or sit back and expect to be disappointed.
“I’m going down with the mindset that we have to win and the players will be the same. If we have that approach hopefully it will get us the result to reach our objective regardless of what happens at Easter Road.”
Aberdeen will have three key players absent for the Parkhead clash.
Niall McGinn’s recurring groin injury will see him sidelined while defender Scott McKenna, his club’s Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and winner of Best Goal, is suspended.
Loan star Ryan Christie will also sit out the game because of the agreement BY FRANK GILFEATHER preventing him from featuring against his parent club.
McInnes, aiming for a fourth straight finish as runners-up, said: “Qualifying for Europe was our first objective and we have done that even if it has taken a bit longer than we’d have hoped.
“It’s as sweet as it has always been to get that European place but there are plenty of gains and advantages for finishing second again.
“Not many teams have gone to Celtic Park and won in recent times when they have been at their strongest and I’m sure they will be close to that against us.
“We have to change the fact Aberdeen have a poor record there for the last 14 years.
“We have won there in the Scottish Cup during my time in charge and we were very good that day in terms of a strong performance for 90 minutes.
“It will need that and more to get the win but I have been pleased with the way we have played in our fixtures after the split.”
Pittodrie shot-stopper Joe Lewis insists the end-of-season format keeps interest alive north of the border.
He said: “The league split is really good and it makes the back end of the season very exciting.
“When you are playing down in England there are 24 teams in the league. If you’re not going up and you can’t be relegated then the last five or six games can often be like going through the motions.”
DEREK McINNES