‘MISSING OUT ON TREBLE WOULD BE BAD FOR CELTIC’
Anything less will be a disappointment for Celtic, says McInnes
every domestic competition — huge favourites. ‘And it’s up to the rest to find a way to stop that and get our own clubs winning something.’ Unbeaten in 69 games until a 4-0 thumping at Hearts, Celtic displayed further signs of vulnerability in a 0-0 draw with Rangers before the winter break. Claiming that changes little, however, McInnes added: ‘I don’t think that comes into things with our players. ‘It doesn’t give us any extra confidence. ‘We’re always quite confident in ourselves ahead of the games against Celtic. ‘But we know we have to be near our best to get a result — while that doesn’t need to be the case for Celtic.’ Addressing claims that Hearts and Rangers have successfully worked out how to play the Parkhead side by employing disciplined, high-pressing tactics, McInnes replied: ‘We’ve always tried to play a high press, but they only need to get out once or twice and you can be exposed as they have the quality to put you to the sword. ‘In our recent game at Parkhead, I thought we were unfortunate to go in 1-0 down. ‘We did a lot of what we wanted to do really well, but it’s hard to sustain it and it’s hard to keep the belief and motivation when they do take the lead to keep it going. ‘Celtic have the quality to expose you when there is space. ‘To deny them that space it is important to knock them out of their stride but it won’t always work.’ McInnes made his second signing of the window yesterday, taking Nigerian central midfielder Nwakali until the end of the season. After back-to-back loans with IK Start and Sogndal in Norwegian football, the 21-year-old doesn’t qualify for an automatic work permit and must await the result of an appeal before receiving the green light. ‘Manchester City have been keen for players to come to Aberdeen and develop their game with us,’ said McInnes, who has also brought winger Niall McGinn back to Pittodrie after an unsuccessful spell in South Korea. ‘This is one we have been working on the last couple of months and I’m delighted to get it done. ‘Chidi is hoping to make the Nigerian World Cup squad and he is with us here in Dubai.’ Nwakali’s arrival allows Greg Tansey to join Ross County on loan for the rest of the season. ‘Basically we felt it was a good move for Greg and us,’ added the Dons boss. ‘I had a conversation with Owen Coyle and Ross County got in touch with his agent and it quickly moved on from there.’
DEREK McINNES believes Celtic have to win a second straight Treble to avoid a ‘disappointing campaign’.
The Aberdeen manager, who yesterday landed midfielder Chidi Nwakali on loan from Manchester City pending a work-permit appeal, rates Celtic overwhelming favourites to complete the first back-to-back domestic clean sweeps in Scottish football history. Brendan Rodgers’ men have already claimed the Betfred League Cup this season and McInnes, speaking at his club’s winter training base in Dubai, insists they would be underachieving if they fail to lift the Ladbrokes Premiership title and the William Hill Scottish Cup as well.
‘That’s the challenge for us all — to stop it,’ said McInnes, whose side are eight points adrift of Celtic in second place as teams in the top flight enjoy a winter break.
‘It is tough. They have lost their domestic unbeaten run recently and it was always going to be tough to stop that.
‘Celtic are so far ahead resources-wise that I think it would be seen as a disappointing campaign if they didn’t win a Treble, to be honest.
‘They should be favourites in