Celtic boss Neil Lennon has lauded his Aberdeen counterpart Derek McInnes for making the Dons fierce competitors this season, ahead of the meeting between the sides on Sunday.
The Bhoys will be eyeing up booking their berth in the final of the Scottish Cup on Sunday, when they battle it out with Aberdeen in the semi-final at Hampden Park.
Lennon’s men will move closer to securing a treble treble should they beat the Dons on Sunday, and will be aiming to rely on their winning mentality during big games to get over the line this weekend.
However, the Bhoys will be well aware of their opponents and their capabilities, especially considering the two teams met during the Scottish League Cup final back in December.
Aberdeen have impressed under McInnes this term and held Celtic to a draw in the Scottish Premiership meeting at Parkhead last month, before knocking Rangers out in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox.
And ahead of their meeting with the Dons, Lennon has hailed McInnes for making Aberdeen fierce competitors this term and admitted the tie will be difficult for the Bhoys.
Lennon also added he is hoping to take inspiration from Celtic’s recent record at Hampden Park in their bid to seal a berth in the final of the cup competition.
“Derek’s done a fantastic job there and they’re competing in semi-finals, finals, they’ve overcome Rangers in the last round and in convincing fashion as well”, Lennon told Celtic TV.
“We drew with them last time out at Celtic Park, so we know how difficult this tie is for us.
"But we know the incentives there are [if we win] and the motivation for the players at this stage of the season.
“Hampden’s been good to them over the last few years so we’re hoping for more of the same there.”
Aberdeen will be without the services of captain Graeme Shinnie, who is suspended for the semi-final clash against Celtic on Sunday.
