It wasn't quite a lap of honour, but when Ronny Deila and his Celtic players ran to their fans with expressions of joy - and perhaps relief - at pipping Aberdeen at the post in their SPFL Premiership clash at Pittodrie last November, it succeeded in sending their opponents a message of how highly they rate them.

The scenes brought the Dons players a realisation that they could, indeed, mount a meaningful challenge to the champions in the race for the Premiership title, an ambition which is being realised as Derek McInnes continues to invigorate his impressive outfit and remind them that there is no reason why they shouldn't push the Parkhead men all the way.

Virgil van Dijk's last-minute goal in that November meeting gave the Hoops the points, but McInnes knew by the post-match reaction that this could, indeed, be a special season for his side, who will aim to produce something special in the east end of Glasgow tomorrow, 13 unbeaten League games on from that chilly November afternoon.

"I felt that the celebrations that day from Celtic suggested how big a game it was for them," he said.

"Whether they thought we were going to go away at that stage, whether they doubted we could sustain that type of run we've been on; maybe they did.

"For us, it's great to be here and know that, if we win the game, we can go level with them. That's motivation enough.

"The 12-game season scenario for us now is really important. Because, back then, there were a lot of games to go.

"Now it becomes a 12-game season for us, 13 for them. We just want to win as many as possible."

But there is no finger of blame pointed at Deila and company following their celebrations.

"Look, everybody is different," he said. "You can celebrate how you want.

"But from our point of view it was a disappointing day, not in terms of performance but the way we lost the game; that was harsh on the players.

"It was important to turn that negative into some sort of positive and the players deserve enormous credit for the consistency they've shown since.

"I don't know if Celtic's reaction spurred on my players after that.

"I mean, I was surprised at the level of celebration for a Celtic side.

"Maybe it suggested the importance they placed on the game.

"But likewise, if they beat us on Sunday, we don't plan on going anywhere.

"We'll still be aiming to finish the season as strongly as possible."

With Ash Taylor available after a five-week recovery from knee surgery, McInnes has already decided on whether to re-introduce the former Tranmere Rovers centre-back or continue with his stand-in, Donervorn Daniels.

The 21-year-old, on loan from West Bromwich Albion until the end of the season when his contract expires, has impressed in the three games since his arrival at Pittodrie, but Taylor might be seen as having the better qualities to deal with Celtic's strikers.

Daniels selected Liverpool's Europa League game against Besiktas as his TV viewing rather than research Celtic's strengths and weaknesses as they faced Inter Milan on Thursday night.

It suggests the youngster is unfazed about tomorrow's encounter, the biggest occasion of his career, though he insisted the confidence of those who'll wear red will be high.

"We're in a title race," he said. "We're second in the league.

"We know we're good enough to challenge teams and Celtic is just another game where we have to concentrate and put our all into it.

"But we're not concentrating on them.

"Everyone knows the magnitude of this game and it's on Sky, so all my mates will be watching and it's good they can see me play.

"It's a game everyone will want to sit down and have a look at.

"There will be 20-odd good players on the pitch so it will be good for the neutrals.

"We've got 30-odd points still to play for after Sunday, so I don't think this will make or break our season win, lose or draw.

"We just need to go into it with the mentality that we've had every single game so far.

"We're on a 13-game unbeaten run which is fantastic.

"We won't be too worried about Celtic. We just want to enjoy the game and give everything we have to concentrate on getting the points."