DEREK McInnes has insisted that Aberdeen are capable of defeating Rangers in Glasgow for the third time this season and progressing to the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final.
McInnes admitted he had been disappointed that his side, who had taken the lead through a first-half Sam Cosgrove penalty, had allowed Joe Worrall to equaliser early in the second.
The Ladbrokes Premiership rivals will now meet again in a quarter-final replay at Ibrox on Tuesday week.
However, the Pittodrie club beat their opponents in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden in October as well as away in the league in December.
“It doesn’t matter to me that we have to go Glasgow,” said McInnes. “We’ve won there already this season and our away record is very good. We’ll be alive and kicking for the replay.
“The evidence is there and the players don’t need reminding of that. Whenever you play Rangers home or away it is tough. They’ve spent a lot of money and assembled a good side.
“We have to do it all over again, but it is important we go down there and show the belief we showed today.”
He added: “We carried a real threat, broke really well and were well worth our lead. We could have had a second goal with Scott McKenna hitting the bar. We contained a good Rangers team with good players.
“We were disappointed to lose a goal from a low ball at a corner. Sam Cosgrove was blocked off by Lewis Ferguson. But we reacted well.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t put one of our chances away. We’re disappointed not to get a winner and to concede from a set-play. We’re disappointed not to win from a winning position.”
McInnes praised Andrew Considine and Scott McKenna, the Aberdeen centre backs, for how they dealt with the threat posed by Alfredo Morelos, the Rangers striker.
“There were good individual battles all over the park,” he said. “McKenna and Considine had their hands full with Morelos, but they were terrific.”
Gary Mackay Steven, the Aberdeen winger, limped off injured in the first-half after being fouled by Connor Goldson, the Rangers centre half, but McInnes is optimistic he will be available for the league match with Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday.
“Gary is away to the hospital for an x-ray just as a precaution,” he said. “We feel it is a bruise on the calf and hopefully it will heal in a few days.”
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