Celtic’s u-20 squad continue on the rocky road to Hampden when they face Aberdeen at Firhill for a semi-final place in the SFA Youth Cup ( kick-off 2pm)
Hearts and Hibs have already been beaten away from home as Celtic bid to lift the trophy for the fourth year running.
Aberdeen are sitting second in the league behind Celtic with John Kennedy knowing that his side will need to be at their best to succeed today.
“We beat Aberdeen in September and remember how difficult a match that,” he recalled. “They gave us a tough second half and could have taken a point.
“You only get one chance in cup ties and the players are ready for this match. We’ve got some who have won at Hampden before and they are hungry to do that again.
“Their attitude is good and we have to take that into the match. Being a cup tie the game will have an edge, you’re either through to a semi final or find yourself out of the competition.
“Hearts and Hibs have both been tough and Aberdeen are above them in the table which speaks for itself. We know it’ll be tough but it’s good to have this one at home.
“That can give us an advantage but we’ll have to be at our best to get the result we’re looking for.”
In midweek Celtic drew 1-1 with Dundee United at Tannadice with Denny Johnstone’s opener cancelled out by the home side.
Recent signing Victor Noring made his Celtic debut in that match as an over-age player but the SFA Youth Cup is strictly for u-20 players only.
“Being up against more experienced players has strengthened our opponents and given our players a good test,” Kennedy added.
“Last season at u-19 we dominated most of the games but that’s not been the case this season. We’ve won a lot of games but they have been tight and we’ve had to fight and scrap for the right to play our football.
“That’s been a test for us, there’ll be no overage players against Aberdeen but they are a strong side with good players and will make it tough for us. We have to start properly, set the tempo and take the game to them.
DUNDEE UNITED 1-1 CELTIC: Noring; Miller, Fraser, Findlay, Chalmers; Kidd, Lindsay (Waters 86); Herron, Henderson, George (McMullan 63); Johnstone (McManus 90)
Not Used: O´Connell, Fasan, Hoareau
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