Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has told his Caley Thistle counterpart John Hughes to stop the mind games ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final.
The Inverness manager has claimed the SPFL should hand the trophy to Aberdeen, aggrieved his side must play against Hibernian tonight, just four days before the final.
McInnes and his squad have spent the past two days at St Andrews, focusing on delivering the club’s first trophy for 19 years.
McInnes accused Hughes of changing his mind, having previously said he was pleased to have a midweek fixture ahead of the final.
The Dons manager said: “I don’t know if it’s mind games, you’d need to ask him.
“But I’m a bit confused. Last week he said he’d rather have a game than train.
“So which is it?
“The good thing from their point of view is they have two players – Greg Tansey and Marley Watkins – who are available for the final now.
“Without the Hibs game that would have been up for debate.
“We both had a cup tie at the weekend and we both ran the risk of getting injuries and suspensions. We can only really speak about our preparation and we’ve had a lot of games recently as well with one or two injuries and concerns.
“Would I like a midweek game before a cup final? Absolutely not.
“But I thought I read comments from him last week about how he was happy with the game.”
McInnes says the Dons are well used to opponents being eager to play the role of underdog.
He added: “You can pre-write it and second-guess it.
“It was the same with the Dumbarton players last week, saying all the pressure was on Aberdeen. We’ve had it all season.
“From every columnist to the opposition – and I can understand why – there is an expectation on the team.
“There are 40,000 supporters coming, but the players have handled every situation and every challenge so far this season.
“When there are more supporters there then it’s something for the opposition to use. I get that totally.
“But it’s not going to affect us. We’re going to play the game, not the occasion. Whether we’re favourites like we were last week against Dumbarton or underdogs against Celtic at Parkhead, these players have been good enough and strong enough to deal with it.
“I understand pressure will always be there. There is a responsibility, which brings pressure, of simply being at Aberdeen. We’re all fine with that.”