Shay Logan believes Aberdeen are the last team Celtic wanted to face in this weekend’s Betfred Cup final.
The defender feels the Dons have proved in recent seasons that they are the strongest team in the country behind the Hoops, who are chasing a sixth consecutive league title.
Brendan Rodgers’ side has won both meetings against the Dons this season but Logan feels the Reds can upset the odds by lifting the trophy at Hampden on Sunday.
He said: “We always create chances against Celtic.
“Of the teams they play, they fear coming to Aberdeen more than any other place and they lost both matches at Pittodrie last season.
“We always make it hard for them home and away and Celtic never have an easy game against us. It is the toughest opposition Celtic could have had in the final.
“It is the top two teams in the Scottish Premiership. It is going to be a tough game for us but it will also be a tough game for them.
“We will go into the cup final with confidence.”
The Aberdeen supporters will be intrigued to find out Derek McInnes’ team selection for Sunday’s match.
The Dons manager left top scorer Adam Rooney and talisman James Maddison on the bench for last month’s 1-0 defeat by the Hoops at Pittodrie as he opted for a side with the pace to prevent Celtic finding their stride.
Logan, an ever-present for the Dons at right back this season, said: “I have played every game this season but I’m not guaranteed a cup final starting position.
“Cup finals and cup games are one-offs and the manager will put out a team that he thinks will get a result on the day.
“I might not be the team that appears on a Saturday or a Tuesday night but it is the side that he believes cam win the cup final.
“At the end of the day if you win 1-0 then nobody can criticise the team selection.
“The final result is the one that matters and the manager will do what he thinks is best.”
Logan refused to choose between a Betfred Cup victory or a third successive runners-up finish in the top flight.
He added: “I’ll take the two of them as they are both well within our grasp.
“I know which one I would rather take but I am not going to tell you that.”