DONS WARY OF RESURGENT HEARTS

ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes is expecting a rejuvenated Hearts when the teams go head-to-head tonight in the Betfred Cup quarter-finals at Tynecastle. The Gorgie side head into the game fresh from Sunday’s comeback victory over rivals Hibs — a result which lifted them off the foot of the Premiership table and relieved some of the pressure on manager Craig Levein. ‘There will obviously be a lot of positivity after the back end of the game against Hibs,’ said McInnes. ‘I think any big victory makes you feel good about yourself. The supporters and players there will be feeling good about themselves. Craig (Levein) has been in the game long enough to know the importance of winning those types of games and I think when you win derby games, regardless of where, it can give you a bit of a spring in your step. ‘And I expect that to probably be the case.’ McInnes stressed the importance of cup football to Aberdeen and set his sights firmly on steering the club into the semi-finals of a competition they won in 2014. Despite their extensive injury list, he believes Aberdeen have enough to get a result. ‘The cups are our best opportunity of success,’ added McInnes. ‘We’ve won one cup and been close on other occasions and have always seen the importance of cup football at the club. ‘We go into the game with our own mission, our own agenda to try and get the club into another semi-final. ‘We’re trying to manage the situation with injuries. Obviously, we’re a bit restricted about different options, what we can do. But we’ve still got enough good players that can go and get a positive result.’