THE fear factor associated with trips to Glasgow is no longer there for Aberdeen. When they return next month, Derek McInnes’ side will do so with confidence.
It was the former Rangers midfielder that ended the Dons’ Ibrox hoodoo as a 2-1 victory was secured in May 2017. On Tuesday night, he and his players won there for the second time this season.
Niall McGinn set them on their way, before Connor McLennan clinched a memorable and deserved quarter-final win.
The Betfred Cup semi-final triumph in October was the most significant of the three wins that McInnes has masterminded over Steven Gerrard’s side and a return to Hampden is now on the cards as Celtic await once again.
“In my time here we’ve won a couple of times but coming off the back of a replay, it was an uphill task for us,” McGinn said of the latest victory that has seen the history books rewritten.
“We showed great maturity and composure to put on a performance like we did.
“We knew we’d have to take our chances – I’ve read the pass and took it well. But more importantly we’re through to the next round.
“Even in the last few years, that fear factor hasn’t been there.
“We’ve finished above Rangers in the league and on the road this season, we’re unbeaten in eight games. To see out the game with a second goal was a bit of a cushion.
“They through everything at us but we were solid, from Stevie May through to Joe Lewis.
“Being at a big club like Aberdeen, you enjoy getting to semi-finals and finals. We want to go a step further – we’ve got another opportunity to get to a final and there’s no bigger task than beating Celtic.
“We need to get back to winning ways in our league form and look forward to Saturday.”
The final outcome was the most pleasing aspect for McInnes at Ibrox but the Aberdeen boss was right to take pride in the performances of his younger players as McLennan scored and Dean Campbell impressed.
The positives were plentiful for McInnes and he will hope that his side can now go from strenth to strength as they attempt to finish the Premiership campaign on a high note and the season with a Scottish Cup winner’s medal.
McGinn said: “For the young lads like Dean, Connor – even Max Lowe and Dom Ball – for them to play in front of a packed house is a great learning curve for them. For us older guys to see that is great for Aberdeen in the future.
“Night’s like Tuesday they will always remember and take confidence from that.”
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