Aberdeen midfielder Jonny Hayes believes the Dons have nothing to lose against treble-hunting Celtic on Saturday.
Derek McInnes’ side has been beaten in all five meetings against the Hoops this term, with the Glasgow side 12-2 ahead on aggregate.
That included a painful 3-0 defeat in the final of the League Cup in November when the Dons produced a well below-par performance.
Celtic will start as favourites at Hampden on Saturday but Hayes, pictured, believes the role of underdogs can suit the Dons and said: “We certainly can’t play any worse than we did in the League Cup final.
“If we play to our best we will give ourselves a good chance of victory.
“It has been a successful season, but we can improve that when we go to Hampden.
“We can’t hide from the fact we were very poor in the League Cup final. That wasn’t us on the day and we have to be much better this time around.
“We are certainly not just going there to stop Celtic’s treble, that’s of no interest to us.
“We are there to try to win it for ourselves, our supporters and the football club.”
The Irishman scored the goal that earned the Dons a place in the final with a deflected drive in last month’s 3-2 win against holders Hibernian.
It was one of the highlights of another excellent season for Hayes, who was shortlisted for the PFA Scotland player of the year award.
Celtic attacker Scott Sinclair claimed the award, but Hayes was pleased make the final four for the second year in a row.
He added: “It was nice to get a bit of recognition, especially from my fellow professionals. It was something I wasn’t expecting.
“We have had a lot of decent performers this season so there could easily have been one or two of our players on the shortlist instead of me.
“I possibly haven’t played as well this season as last. My goals and assists are higher this season, but I am not sure if I have played better.
“Last season we had three or four players who did really well but this season has been about the whole team playing well.
“There have been a lot of individuals who have done well this season.”