Aberdeen V Livingston at Pittodrie Stadium : Match Preview

22 September 2014 05:31
Aberdeen V Livingston - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


McInnes eager for more cup glory

Derek McInnes believes the memory of winning the League Cup last season will act as motivation for his Aberdeen players this campaign.

In front of around 43,000 of their fans at Celtic Park in March the Dons picked up the trophy after beating Inverness 4-2 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.

Wild scenes of celebration in the east end of Glasgow continued when the Pittodrie players and management returned north, with the feel-good factor in the Granite City lasting much longer.

Ahead of the visit of Livingston in the third round on Tuesday night, the Aberdeen boss told Red TV: "We saw how important it was to bring that silverware back. We saw the benefits it brought to the city.

"It whets the appetite for everybody, the supporters and players alike. We want to experience days like that more often and the cups do bring that opportunity for every club, Livingston included, and I am sure every one of the Premiership clubs at the start of the campaign will feel that it could be them.

"Livingston won't be fazed.

"For us to get into the next round, we are going to have to deal with that challenge, but obviously the motivation for us, after last season, is there.

"It is easy to visualise after last season's cup final and taking 43,000 fans to the final.

"Our players will want to experience that again."

McInnes believes there is likely to be at least one shock result in the third round and is determined that it will not be at Pittodrie against the Championship side.

The former St Johnstone and Bristol City boss said: "There is no one in my dressing room who will think tomorrow night is a formality.

"We have work to do and I really mean that. It is a strong performance that will be required to beat Livingston.

"There will be a shock, no doubt, in this round.

"We just need to make sure it is not seen to be a shock at our place.

"Livingston have nothing to lose, they will come with a freedom to express themselves and sometimes that can make an opponent even trickier.

"We will respect them, but we have confidence in our own players and confidence that we can win games."

Livingston will face the holders without Kevin Walker, Declan Gallagher and Simon Mensing due to knee injuries, while Bradley Donaldson is also missing with an ankle injury.

Manager John McGlynn knows that his side will need to be at their best to have any chance of progressing.

He said: "Aberdeen will be confident after a very good display and result against Ross County at the weekend and we know that we have to play very well to do anything.

"However we are going to be positive as upsets happen in football and if we do our jobs correctly and Aberdeen have an off night you never know what can happen."


Source: PA