Derek McInnes believes that his players can end Celtic’s treble treble hopes.
Aberdeen stand between Celtic and a third consecutive Scottish Cup Final as Neil Lennon picks up the baton passed on by Brendan Rodgers.
The Dons have been Celtic’s closest rivals over the last half dozen years and have been the final opposition in three of the last five finals that the hoops have won.
Next month the two clubs will face off in a semi-final with McInnes convinced that the time is right for his players to strike a meaningful win against Celtic in Glasgow.
“We’re just glad to be there – everyone was expecting an Old Firm semi-final, so sorry to disappoint everyone who tipped that,” he told The Sun after last night’s replay win at Ibrox. “We’ve got closer to Celtic in the big games.
“We’re used to Hampden now. We’ve had a couple of real disappointments there but we’ve had some good performances in semi-finals.
“The fact we’re going back there for the third time this season – I feel my players are used to the surroundings, regardless of the opponent.
“Celtic will be firm favourites but I’m just glad we’ve got the opportunity to get the club into another final.”
Aberdeen will be without captain Graeme Shinnie after he picked up his second Scottish Cup caution during last night’s 2-0 win at Ibrox.
With only Celtic able to prevent the Dons from making it a clean sweep of eight consecutive away wins they won’t be travelling to Hampden with any sort of inferiority complex.