Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the rearranged Scottish Cup semi-final is coming at a better time for his team than would have been the case in April.
The Dons were originally due to face the Hoops on April 12 at Hampden, but that tie was postponed after Scottish football was shut down a month earlier due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Aberdeen’s form was picking up in the games before football was suspended, but the 2019-20 campaign was a frustrating and inconsistent season for the Dons.
But McInnes’ side will head into this Sunday’s semi-final with confidence after extending their unbeaten run to five games with a 3-3 draw against Celtic at Pittodrie on Sunday.
An injury-time penalty from Lewis Ferguson earned the Dons the plaudits and a point against Neil Lennon’s team, who have been heavily criticised after three below-par displays.
The Hoops were beaten at home by rivals Rangers and AC Milan before being held by the Dons.
They take on Lille in France on Europa League duty this evening before turning their attentions to face the Dons, with Celtic boss Lennon knowing the pressure will only intensify if his side’s poor form continues.
McInnes said: “When you sign up a manager anywhere you have to take it in the neck and develop a thick skin and no more so than if you manage a club like Celtic.
“I’m sure Neil will be leaning on his experience. He is a proven manager. It is nowhere that he hasn’t been before.
“He will lean on his experience and get through it.
“For us, I am more concerned about my own team.
“I feel we have started the season well and overcome certain challenges as you know.
“The form of the team and the squad numbers are good.
“I am more than hopeful we can have a good season.
“This is a cup competition carried on from last season.
“We have earned the right, despite a challenging season last year, to play this semi-final.
“Our form was improving last season but I have to say we are in a better place now for this semi-final than we would have been last year.
“Our additions have been good, boys are bursting for games and really looking forward to it.
“It will be hard to overcome a team who have shown how good they have been in cup competitions over the last few seasons.
“I also feel we are a good cup team ourselves and Sunday gives us the opportunity to go and show that.
“It would be significant for us just to get to a final.
“We have beaten a couple of Premier League teams to get to here and we obviously now face a strong Celtic team.
“The confidence we would take from beating Celtic in a semi-final would serve us well going into a final.
“We see this as an opportunity to add silverware for our own sakes and nothing more really on that.”
McInnes, meanwhile, said Curtis Main should be fit enough to return to the Aberdeen squad for this Sunday’s semi-final.
The former Motherwell forward has not featured since last month’s 2-0 win against Viking in the Europa League.
McInnes said: “Curtis played in a practice match yesterday.
“He’s one of a couple on a day off today and coming back Friday, so he’ll be good to go Friday.
“It’s just a thigh problem, trying to build a bit of confidence in Curtis. He’s been feeling the onset of this little thigh strain.
“It’s nothing too significant, but we’re trying to manage his week, as we do with a number of players.
“He will train Friday, Saturday and be in the squad for Sunday.”