Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has challenged his side to come out swinging and deliver a knockout blow to St Mirren in the Scottish Cup tomorrow.
The Dons boss has watched his side fail to score on their two previous visits to Paisley this season but with a place in the semi-final of the national cup competition at stake tomorrow McInnes has demanded a display of attacking intent from his side.
He said: “When we went to St Mirren the last time we were timid in our attacking play. We never looked like scoring a goal.
“We controlled the game and were the better side for the majority of it – but we were like a boxer without a punch.
“We didn’t take enough shots on and we didn’t make the most of the possession we had.
“At that time we were taking an extra touch and looking for that extra pass.
“But now, I think over the last five or six games we have looked far better attacking-wise. “We are in a better place now than we were last month.
“But cup football is not about performances. It is about making through you get through the tie.”
The Dons fans have sold out the club’s 1,800 allocation for tomorrow’s game in Paisley and the Aberdeen manager would love nothing more than to repay the show of support by booking the Red Army a trip to Hampden for the semi-final.
He said: “How you do in the cup can sometimes define your season and if we can get a strong run, get through this one, it would swell the numbers.
“The enthusiasm gets more and more and the excitement levels go up as you gain momentum.
“The benefit of a cup run is clear for everyone at the club.
“Our fans have sold out their allocation in Paisley and hopefully we can give them something to shout about.
“We want to get back to Hampden, there are only eight teams left in the competition and we want to be part of the last four.”
Cup runs have been prevalent at the club this season with both the youth team and the reserve side reaching their respective national cup finals and McInnes is relishing the chance of making it a hat-trick with his squad.
He said: “Our under-age teams and the reserves have got to cup finals so we want to make it three for the club this season. We want to do our bit too.
“Saturday is a game to be enjoyed and we certainly want to do that.”
Ryan Hedges will miss out due to a thigh strain but Funso Ojo and Craig Bryson, who missed the 2-1 defeat to Ross County, are added to the squad.
