LEWIS WANTS TRUE REFLECTION LEFT THIS TIME

FOR Aberdeen, there is one obvious way to fully expunge the sour taste left by that meek League Cup Final defeat to Celtic. A feeling that they simply didn’t perform has lingered from last November’s 3-0 reverse at Hampden. Reaching the Scottish Cup equivalent would provide a chance to produce a truer reflection on themselves in one of the game’s showpiece occasions. Goalkeeper Joe Lewis (right) admits the desire to make amends is strong within the squad. But he is equally adamant that it cannot become overwhelming when Derek McInnes’ side face Hibernian in Saturday’s semi-final. Concentrating on that 90 minutes alone must be the aim. Lewis believes anything else could be counterproductive. ‘There is a real feeling we want to get back to a cup final because of how the League Cup one panned out earlier in the season,’ he said. ‘But you can’t get too wrapped up in that. ‘You can’t let that desperation play any part because if you do then you take your eye off the ball. ‘The focus has to be on the Hibs players, making sure we’re at it and ready for the match when it comes around. ‘I have watched a few Hibs games on TV and they’re a good side. ‘We want to get to the final, that’s the main objective, so we will be doing plenty of homework on them as the week goes on. ‘I know Grant Holt from living in Norwich, although I’ve never played with him. He has great experience and is one we will have to watch. But he’s not the only one because Hibs have a lot of very good players in their squad. ‘I think you have to just look at their team and the support they have, they are a big club and will be back in the Premiership next season. ‘But I think we are going into the game with confidence, if you take those mad five or six minutes in the Rangers game out of it then we’re in good form ourselves.’ The chaos to which Lewis refers saw him concede three late goals as their bitter rivals surged to success at Pittodrie. It was a nightmare result that stung both Aberdeen players and fans. A response was required. Last weekend’s 2-1 win away to St Johnstone was the right kind of reaction. ‘Against St Johnstone we showed both sides of our character because in the first half we were excellent but in the second we had to defend well,’ reflected Lewis. ‘After the Rangers game a few questions were asked but we showed exactly the kind of team we are. ‘The Rangers game left everyone gutted, the players were hurt by it too and so were the fans. ‘So it was important to get back to winning ways before Hampden and I’m glad we did that.’