Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes feels his side could not be more ready to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden.

The Dons have faced Brendan Rodgers’ team five times in all competitions in the present campaign, losing all of them, including a 3-0 defeat in the Scottish League Cup final in November.




In the last meeting between the teams, Aberdeen, who finished second in the Scottish Premiership table, were beaten 3-1 by Celtic in a league fixture at Pittodrie earlier in the month.

Since that loss against the Bhoys, Aberdeen are unbeaten and are heading into the Scottish Cup final game on the back of two consecutive league victories over Rangers and Partick Thistle respectively.
 


And McInnes, whose side have already played three games at Hampden this season, thinks Aberdeen are very much ready to take on Celtic for the Scottish Cup.

relatedNewsStory

"This Celtic team have been very sharp with their work, very focused, very confident and they don't give much encouragement to their opponents”, he said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“We have got to try and find a way to out that seed of doubt in their mind that it's not going to be their day.

"I feel we couldn't be more ready.

"The players have been really relaxed.

“I'm taking strength from the confidence of the team and the performances we have had of late and the experiences we have had this season.

"It's our fourth visit to Hampden this season, we have won two and lost one, and winning at Ibrox last week was important as well.

“So I actually feel we couldn't be more ready, and I sense a relaxed feeling and confidence throughout the squad.”

Celtic will finish their entire domestic campaign unbeaten and lift the treble if they beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final.