McINNES: WE WILL TRAVEL TO FINAL

DEREK McINNES last night backed his side to reach another final without playing a home game — after victory at Hamilton saw Aberdeen handed a trip to Motherwell. Kenny McLean’s first-half strike was enough for the Dons to claim a win at a ground they twice lost at in the league last season. With the semi-finals set for Hampden, another win in South Lanarkshire in the last eight could potentially see the Dons return to the final in November having not played a game at Pittodrie. But McInnes said: ‘Winning at places like Hamilton can only help us. ‘We’re a new team and I felt last week in Europe we were a bit rushed and played the game a bit young, especially in the first hour. ‘So we’re not as experienced as we were before. ‘We’ve lost key international players, but we’ll try to gain that experience as we go along. ‘It was such a brilliant turnout from the supporters. ‘I wasn’t expecting as many to come but it was brilliant to see so many get behind the team. ‘Hopefully we can reward them by getting to another final and having another shot at bringing a trophy back to Aberdeen. ‘Motherwell away is going to be tough. It’s another Premiership team we’re facing and we would much rather be at home, but we beat Motherwell in the quarter-final down there the year we won it. ‘We went down to 10 men and managed to dig out a result. ‘It’s a tough venue but hopefully we go into it in good form through the league.’ McInnes lauded his players for delivering a performance of substance — even if they progressed to the last eight with minimum style. ‘I’m just delighted to get through,’ he added. ‘The reaction when the draw was made was that it would be really tough and we were not wrong. ‘Hamilton are brilliant at what they do. They never give it up — they always ask questions of you and keep going. ‘They’ve got a brilliant attitude to their work. ‘I thought we just about kept them at arms’ length. ‘Kenny produced a lovely finish with his right foot. Hopefully he can take confidence from that goal as it was a lovely strike.’ Hamilton manager Martin Canning said: ‘It’s thin margins. We were actually better than we were at the weekend but still lost again. ‘I’m not happy that we’ve lost the game but I’m encouraged with what I’m seeing. ‘I’m looking at two strikers and I’d like to bring them both in.’