McInnes wants Dons to show real belief

ABERDEEN: Boss will know before game if players are up for Rangers clash

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes insists he will know before a ball is kicked whether his players have the belief to beat Rangers.

The Dons will try to do what no side other than Celtic has done so far this season in Scottish football and inflict defeat on Steven Gerrard’s side.

It’s a tall order against a Gers side which is scoring goals for fun and in terrific form, and an even bigger challenge when missing key players and having shipped five goals without reply in your previous meeting with them.

But McInnes has urged his players to make amends for going down with a whimper at Ibrox in September by playing without fear at Pittodrie.

The Dons have already come up short in front of their own fans after losing 4-0 to Celtic at Pittodrie and McInnes hopes lessons have been learned.

He said: “It was a similar feeling after both Old Firm games to be honest as we have always prided ourselves in the last six and a half years of being close to Rangers and Celtic.

“We’ve taken a couple of sore ones against Celtic in particular over that time but we have always managed to beat teams of that quality.

“I just feel that in those games we didn’t give ourselves the chance to do that this time.

“You need your best players available to do that but regardless of that it’s important that we have the mindset that we feel we are going to win the game.

“That’s what I’ve felt in the past before these games from my players and I need to feel that in the dressing room and in the tunnel that we can make it a very important night for us.”

The Dons boss is counting on the fact his players will want to make amends for two meek displays in the Old Firm meetings so far and can rise to the occasion tomorrow.

He said: “When you sign players the attraction is to play in these sort of games and play against the best players in the country. That for me should be the attraction it was for them when they signed so let’s see it.”

The Dons boss knows what it takes to beat Rangers. He has done it consistently since they returned to the top flight.

He also recognises the task now is greater than it has been at any point since the Gers won promotion to the Premiership in 2016 but with key performers such as Sam Cosgrove and Joe Lewis in his side he is approaching the game with confidence.

He said: “We know we have to do a lot right on Wednesday night to make the game go our way. We have to be clinical. And we’ve got a boy at the top of the pitch who is in brilliant form.

“We’ve got a goalkeeper who is second to none in the league. We’ve got good enough experience and some good individual players starting the game.

“So it’s important we bring it all together and give ourselves the best chance of getting the result we want.”

McInnes revealed Niall McGinn may have to wait to make his 300th appearance for the club as a calf strain threatens to rule him out of the game.

The Northern Ireland international scored the 500th goal of McInnes’ reign on his 299th appearance in Saturday’s 2-1 win against St Mirren but his own personal milestone appearance for the club looks set to be placed on hold.

The manager said: “We’re as we are from Saturday, apart from Niall McGinn who has picked up a little knock.

“He’s probably 50/50. It’s nothing too significant but he came off with a little calf strain on Saturday.

“He’s away for a scan. We don’t think it’s anything significant but the game might come a bit too quick for him.”

McGinn’s absence would be a blow for the Dons boss who was again left impressed by the winger’s matchwinning contribution against the Saints at the weekend.

The Northern Irishman is in his second spell with the Dons, having returned following a six month spell in South Korea with Gwangju in 2017.

Picture: SNS Group. Derek McInnes wants his players to make amends for the poor showing against the Light Blues in their last showdown.