Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has told his players they have nothing to fear when they travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts on Saturday in the Scottish Cup.
The draw could have been kinder to the Dons, but McInnes is relishing the fourth-round match against the Jambos.
McInnes, pictured, believes his players should take confidence from the last trip to Gorgie against Robbie Neilson’s side where Niall McGinn inspired the Reds to a 3-1 win in September by scoring a spectacular individual goal and setting up both of David Goodwillie’s goals.
The Aberdeen manager said: “Hearts are third in the Premiership on merit after having a good start to the season, but we are capable of getting the right result at Tynecastle.
“It took a big performance from us to get the win in the league ear-lier in the season and we know it will take another strong performance to win again.”
McInnes believes the high-profile game can bring out the best in his side. He said: “The players are no different to the supporters. They are looking forward to this one. I’m sure it is going to be a brilliant game.
“It is going to be a tough game but I prefer to look at it the other way – it is a great game to go and win.”
McInnes and his squad are determined to make 2016 a successful year at Pittodrie. The Dons were unable to match the 2014 League Cup achievement but have enjoyed some notable triumphs in the last 12 months, including a best league finish for more than two decades.
Having already gone out of this season’s League Cup at the hands of Championship club Hibernian, the Scottish Cup represents the best opportunity for the Dons to end this campaign with silverware.
Progressing from this weekend’s match against a Hearts team beaten only once in nine matches will not be easy, although the one blip in the Edinburgh side’s recent unbeaten run came against the Dons at Pittodrie.
Having been ruthlessly exposed at home by Aberdeen’s counter-attacking display in September the Jambos were far more physical at Pittodrie last month but Adam Rooney’s injury time penalty after an inexplicable Jordan McGhee handball gave the Dons all three points.
Meanwhile, McInnes has agreed to extend goalkeeper Danny Rogers’ loan at Championship club Falkirk until the end of the season. Rogers joined the Bairns in August and has been a key player in the club’s promotion bid.
In the event of a postponement or replay this weekend, the fourth-round tie between the Dons and Hearts will be played next Wednesday, January 13 with a 7.45pm kick-off.