Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes Scottish Cup semi-final opponents Hibernian are better now than when they won the Scottish Cup a year ago.
The Dons will take on the cup holders at Hampden on Saturday and Neil Lennon’s side will be brimming with confidence after winning the Championship title at the weekend with a 3-0 victory against Queen of the South.
The Easter Road men defeated Rangers 3-2 in last May’s final to win their first Scottish Cup for 114 years.
McInnes said: “We had expected them to win the league for a while. They have been the best team in their division by a long way and it has just been a matter of time.
“Nonetheless, they will be glad to get over the line. It will be good to have them back in the league next season. They have earned that right.
“They are cup holders and they have a lot of experience in their team. I have watched a lot of their games recently.
“I have seen more of them this season than I did last year but I think there is a case that they are an even better side than the one that won the cup last season.
“We have got a challenge this weekend but you don’t get to a semi-final and not expect to have a challenge in front of you.
“It is important they get a proper challenge from us.
“We are really looking forward to the game and we are going into it with confidence. Hopefully, we can drive ourselves into a final.”
Hibs’ Championship title win ends a three-year period out of the top flight for the Easter Road side.
McInnes believes Hibs are mentally tougher since former Celtic manager Lennon replaced Alan Stubbs in June last year.
He added: “It is difficult to compare them as Alan Stubbs obviously did a brilliant job with them.
“It was maybe tougher to get out of the league in Alan’s time but to win a cup was a brilliant achievement.
“Neil has got the experience of winning things.
“He has probably brought that real mentality to them which is important over a league campaign where you need to go to different venues and get results.
“They will be feeling like they are at home at Hampden this weekend and Neil is used to that environment as well.
“Although they are in a lower league, I still think the tie is evenly matched, so it will be up to us to bring a strong performance.”
