Aberdeen are riding high at the top of the Scottish Premiership but midfielder Peter Pawlett insists he and his Dons team-mates are focused on making amends in the cup competitions.
The Reds were beaten in the League Cup semi-finals by Dundee United last season and suffered an early exit in the Scottish Cup against Dundee at Dens Park.
As Aberdeen return to League Cup duty tonight at Championship side Hibernian, Pawlett says his team-mates are fully motivated to take their flawless eight-match winning start to the league campaign into cup.
He said: “It was a case of chances missed in the cups last season.
“We want to be successful and there was a huge disappointment at not making another final.
“Going out in the semi-final to Dundee United in the League Cup was a missed opportunity and hopefully we can get another chance to put that right this year.”
The road to Hampden starts at Easter Road tonight against a Hibernian team hoping to win promotion back to the Premiership this season.
Pawlett has been impressed by Alan Stubbs’ side but is determined to help his club reach Monday’s quarter-final draw.
He said: “Hibs are a good side; they’ve got a lot of good young players. Easter Road is always a good place to go and we’re looking forward to it.
“Teams are desperate to beat us now and we have to deal with that, but all we’re doing is concentrating on performing at our best.
“We’re well aware of what Hibs have to offer but we are full of confidence and know we have to perform to win the game.”
The attacking midfielder returned to the starting line-up in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Hearts, taking the place of team-mate Jonny Hayes, who was suspended.
With Hayes also banned for tonight’s cup tie Pawlett hopes to make the most of his chance to push for a starting place.
He said: “It’s all about waiting for your opportunity. I was injured at the start of the season but I’m starting to get my sharpness back now.
“I went into the team on Sunday and did allright, so, hopefully, I can go on to get a decent run of games.
“This season the manager has hit home to us that we’re not going to play every game and there is going to be a rotation.
“It’s a great squad here now and rotation is going to happen. We’ve got to keep the energy up in the team with five games in two weeks but the manager knows everyone who plays will do a job for him.”