As warnings go it was on the muted side.

However, when Jonny Hayes insisted yesterday that his Aberdeen team had yet to reach their best form, it might have occurred to Dundee, their William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round opponents today, that they should heed that assessment.

Hayes, an exciting and speedy winger for the Pittodrie side this season, also acknowledged that the dip in league form during which his side lost nine goals and four matches had prompted a change in approach from his team. Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, has worked his squad hard on the training pitch to iron out the flaws exposed during that poor run of results.

Now, particularly having won the League Cup last season, there is a powerful belief within the Pittodrie squad that lifting the Scottish Cup is eminently achievable. "There is a lot more to come from us," said Hayes.

"The manager said that last year when we won the League Cup and that's still the case. I don't think we've gone into top gear yet. A lot was made when we lost to Hamilton a few weeks ago but you can make up for that in the league.

"We don't want to be known as a side that will go away and lose 3-0. We want to be a tough-to-beat team."

Dundee wish only to be a successful one, especially when it comes to the Scottish Cup. The Dens Park club last triumphed in the competition in 1910 and reached the final in 2003 in which they lost narrowly to Rangers.

The intervening campaigns have offered little to report when it comes to the major cup competition in Scotland but the current Dundee squad are intent on changing that this season. Kevin Thomson, the club captain following his arrival at Dens Park during the summer, conceded last night that he knew little of his club's cup record but has been made aware of a few of the less palatable results when he encounters the dinner ladies.

"I don't know too much about Dundee's Scottish Cup history but the dinner ladies always tell me the last time we were in the final was 2003," said the midfielder, who won the Scottish Cup in 2008 while with Rangers. "We haven't won it for over 100 years which sounds a bit like the Hibees. But we have a hungry group who are desperate for success and we are definitely looking forward to the Aberdeen game.

"Regardless of what club you are at, cup runs are great and finals are special moments in your career. I have been lucky to play in a few. A lot of good players do not play in cup finals so when opportunity comes along, you have to grab it with both hands.

"I think we have a good chance this year but it is a massive game on Saturday as Aberdeen are a fine side. However, we are a good team as well and if we can apply ourselves the way we've done in the last few weeks, then hopefully we can give them a hard time.

"Of course, it is a chance to make history. I am not that big a stat man, to be honest and it was one of my pals who texted me to say the top 14 teams [in Scottish football] are all playing each other. That tells you seven of them are going to go out [in this round of the competition]. So it is a great opportunity."