Kenny McLean, the Aberdeen midfielder, believes his team will travel to Hampden Park with the best possible chance of vanquishing Celtic and securing a memorable silverware upset.
More than that, the Scotland midfielder is adamant Brendan Rodgers’ men are not the invincible domestic force some claim.
In an impressively focused and determined 3-1 beating of their traditionally troublesome northerly rivals Inverness, the Dons avoided League Cup final distractions and made it eight wins from 10 matches, building on a recuperative victory over Partick Thistle before the international break.
They may already have lost twice to Rodgers’ treble-chasing team this season but Sunday’s visit to the national stadium represents, McLean feels, a relatively pressure-free tilt at reclaiming the trophy lifted in 2014.
“It was an important three points as we wanted to go into the final on the back of some good performances and victories and we’ve managed to do that,” said the 24 year-old midfielder.
“It would have been easy to take the foot of the gas and think about the final but the manager drummed it into us all week this was an important game where we would have to dig in.
“To get two goals myself was great and something I need to do more of. The confidence is high all through the squad and we are looking forward to Sunday. It is a day where we will enjoy ourselves.
“Celtic are a great team, you can’t take that away from them, but for people to say they are unbeatable is a load of rubbish. We have the squad and the team who can beat them so whoever is picked for the final will be confident going into the game.”
The defeated hosts remain the only club to have drawn blood from the champions this season, doing so in a 2-2 draw at home to a Celtic team thrashed 7-0 by Barcelona five days earlier.
The prospect of meeting their foes on the back of another all-consuming Barca encounter might be viewed as a leveller by some, but not by McLean.
“A lot is made of teams suffering after playing in European games in midweek but I know Celtic will not use it as an excuse on Sunday,” he insisted. “They have the squad and the players so I don’t think them playing and us having the whole week to prepare will be a factor.
“The boys will be together to watch the Champions League game on Wednesday. If there are weaknesses to be found, we’ll be looking for them and whatever threats they have we have to try to nullify them.
“If you don’t believe you are capable of beating Celtic, there is no point in stepping on to the pitch before a game. We showed last season we have enough quality and everyone from the manager and staff to the players believes we can win on Sunday.”
Saturday’s league performance, while never flawless, proved a powerful reminder of the Dons attacking strengths. McLean, Jonny Hayes and young James Maddison were all at the top of their game.
Frailties existed defensively but, barring a fine opening goal, Inverness never did enough to expose them. Celtic might not be so forgiving.
After a reasonably bright 15 minutes for the Dons, Ross Draper supplied a cross from the right and Lonsana Doumbouya, the freshly-capped Guinea international, stooped to flick an eight-yard header backwards beyond the reach of keeper Joe Lewis.
It was a quality finish and Doumbouya’s fifth of the season, but the home side failed to build on it convincingly.
Inverness felt Aaron Doran was wrongly punished for a foul awarded to Maddison and the sense of injustice heightened as McLean sent a lovely free-kick connection swerving over the wall and past Owain Fon Williams at his right hand post.
Further home dissent greeted referee Kevin Clancy as Aberdeen took a 33rd minute lead. The hosts claimed there had been an infringement on Larnell Cole before Jonny Hayes tore away on a trademark surge from near the halfway line.
There was no stopping the explosive Irishman, at least until Gary Warren did so illegally with a clip to his heels. Countryman Adam Rooney powered in the spot-kick.
From there, Fon Williams was consistently the most-worked goalkeeper, on one occasion brilliantly touching a fierce Andrew Considine header over the bar.
Controversy flared as a blatant late challenge from Graeme Shinnie went unpunished under the gaze of referee Kevin Clancy, but had Brad McKay carried off on a stretcher.
And it was all over bar the shouting when Hayes again broke at pace, darted towards the home box and released a pass just as Josh Meekings crashed through him. Clancy waved play on and McLean slipped a calm, side-footed finish past Fon Williams to settle the match.
The home players might indeed have expected a spot of shouting from manager Richie Foran after the game, given their lax performance, but the silence after the final whistle proved even more ominous.
“We didn't see [the manager] after the game, which says it all to be honest,” Caley Thistle midfielder Iain Vigurs revealed. “He's not happy. He wasn't happy with us at half-time.
“We're all men and we all individually know we weren't good enough. No-one has to tell us that, we know ourselves. It was one of those days – everyone has them and ours was today.
“It's the first time he's not come into the dressing room after the game – Brian Rice spoke to us after the game – and it shows the gaffer's disappointment. That's him showing us how much we let him down.
“It was a great opportunity. We went in on the back of four games unbeaten against Aberdeen, but to go out on a little whimper was disappointing.”
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