McInnes sure his Dons can shut out the champions

DEREK McINNES admits his Aberdeen side were ‘spooked’ the last time Celtic visited Pittodrie. But the Dons boss is confident there will be no repeat of that 4-0 defeat in October when the champions return tomorrow. That thrashing came weeks after a five-goal rout at Ibrox but, if anything, watching the champions score four without reply in the first half was a more chastening experience. McInnes could not believe his players were so unnerved by Celtic’s stunning start, leaving second-half damage limitation as his only consolation. Since then, two draws against Rangers and a narrow defeat at Parkhead have at least been evidence of improvement, along with Aberdeen having only conceded three goals in seven matches this year. Now McInnes wants his team to show how much more resilient they are by becoming the first Scottish side to shut out the champions since Livingston 23 games ago. He said: ‘I felt as frustrated as I have been that day as we were too passive, too nice, too respectful and too timid. ‘We got spooked by Celtic’s movement and they were good and clinical, but I expected us to be better. ‘It has been better since then as we have played three times against the Old Firm, including two draws against Rangers. ‘We have played against some very good players and been far more competitive and defended with a lot more aggression. ‘But it’s right to mention it, because it was the last game against them at home and is a reminder of their capabilities if we allow that to happen. ‘We have to make sure that isn’t how the game plays out and it has to be far more like that last game at Parkhead and the games against Rangers.’ It will not be easy against a Neil Lennon side who have scored 27 goals in just eight games since the winter break.

McInnes believes that their reaction following the defeat to Rangers in December shows the true mark of champions. Celtic might have won the last ten domestic trophies but McInnes says that has not blunted their desire for more success. ‘They are stronger at the minute because there is a hunger about them that was questioned after the last Old Firm game,’ he added. ‘People were saying Rangers looked the hungrier team that day and Celtic have responded, which is down to their manager and the fact it’s such an important season. ‘That hunger has got to be there to keep themselves ahead of a very good Rangers team, but Neil’s got the luxury of so many players at the minute. ‘He has a couple of injuries, but the number of good players who are not starting means it’s as strong a squad as they have had recently. ‘Leigh Griffiths coming back in has been good for them and there is a hunger about the competition to play, which is good for any manager.’ McInnes has already made it clear that, while Aberdeen can’t challenge Celtic and Rangers for the Premiership title, they can certainly get the upper hand in one-off games like tomorrow. The Dons have lost the last seven meetings at home to Celtic since beating Brendan Rodgers’ team four years ago this month, but their manager is convinced that poor run is about to end. ‘Rangers’ and Celtic’s results in Europe show they are serious forces,’ he said. ‘But I still believe there is a 90 minutes in us and other teams to get the job done. I think there is a performance in us that can beat Celtic and it is important that we show that against them on Sunday.’ Ash Taylor returns from injury, while Craig Bryson is in the squad after three months out.